The St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves entered Game 5 of the National League Division Series in Atlanta looking to etch new history. The Cardinals were looking to make their 5th trip to the National League Championship Series in the last 9 years. The Braves were looking to win their first postseason series since 2001.
After Mike Foltynewicz shut down the Cardinals in a Game 2 Atlanta win, he found no such success in Game 5. The Cardinals offense exploded in historic fashion to the tune of 10 1st inning runs. It was the first time ever that a team had scored 10 runs in the 1st inning of a postseason game. Foltynewicz was pulled after only recording 1 out and allowing 7 runs.
Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty took the mound in the bottom of the 1st with all the lead he needed. He pitched 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, but striking out 8 batters on the afternoon. The Cardinals would tack on 3 more runs over the next 2 innings to give themselves a 13-0 cushion.
Braves 3rd Baseman Josh Donaldson would provide the only offensive spark of the day for Atlanta with a 4th inning home run to complete the scoring. From that point on, the Cardinals put the finishing touches on a 13-1 victory to send them back to the NLCS.
The win sends the Cardinals back to the NLCS for the first time since 2014, when they lost to the eventual World Series Champion San Fransisco Giants. The loss for the Braves continues more postseason heartbreak. It marked the 10th straight postseason round loss for Atlanta, tying the Chicago Cubs for the longest all-time streak.