As the 2025 MLB postseason heats up with two pivotal Division Series Game 5s on the horizon, we delve into the electrifying history of these winner-take-all contests, from heroic comebacks to franchise-defining moments that have captivated baseball fans for decades.
The Major League Baseball Division Series, first introduced in 1995 with the expansion to wild card teams, has consistently delivered some of the most intense and memorable moments in October baseball. Specifically, the winner-take-all Game 5s have become synonymous with high drama, unexpected heroes, and heartbreaking finales. These do-or-die matchups encapsulate everything fans love about postseason baseball: immense pressure, shifting narratives, and the raw emotion of a season on the line.
Since the best-of-five format began, there have been 39 such decisive contests. Each one has written its own chapter in MLB history, often featuring legendary performances, improbable comebacks, and the kind of tension that leaves fans breathless. The upcoming 2025 postseason is no exception, with two more Game 5s scheduled to determine who advances to the Championship Series.
The 2025 Season’s Defining Moments: Mariners vs. Tigers and Brewers vs. Cubs
The 2025 postseason has already set the stage for two more epic Game 5s. In the American League, the Seattle Mariners will host the Detroit Tigers. For Seattle, a victory would mark their fourth ALCS appearance in franchise history and their first since 2001, fueling dreams of their first-ever World Series berth. The Tigers, on the other hand, are vying for their first ALCS spot since 2013, with starting pitcher Tarik Skubal once again taking the mound in a high-stakes game against Seattle after a Game 2 loss.
Over in the National League, the rivalry between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs reaches its most critical point. After falling behind 0-2 in the series, the Cubs have clawed their way back, aiming to become only the 11th team in Division Series history to overcome such a deficit and win the series. The last team to accomplish this feat was the New York Yankees in 2017, underscoring the rarity and difficulty of such a comeback, as noted by USA TODAY Sports.
Echoes of 2024: Guardians Triumph and Dodgers Dominance
The 2024 Division Series provided a fresh batch of Game 5 classics. In the ALDS, the Cleveland Guardians dramatically defeated the Detroit Tigers 7-3. After an authoritative Game 1 victory, the Guardians faced elimination, being shut out in Games 2 and 3. They then eked out a gritty 5-4 win in Game 4, sending the series back to Cleveland. Against a strong Tigers pitching staff, eight Guardians pitchers combined with a crucial Lane Thomas grand slam to secure the victory, ending the franchise’s eight-game losing streak in winner-take-all contests since 1998, according to MLB.com.
The 2024 NLDS saw the Los Angeles Dodgers blank the San Diego Padres 2-0 in a fiercely contested rivalry game. After trading blows through four games, the Dodgers, spurred by an 8-0 rout in Game 4, forced a decisive Game 5 at Dodger Stadium. The anticipation was palpable among fans, as reported by CBS News Los Angeles. Dodger fans eagerly awaited the matchup, which notably featured the first major league baseball postseason start between two Japanese-born pitchers, Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Dodgers and Yu Darvish for the Padres. Yamamoto delivered five scoreless innings, complemented by solo home runs from Kiké Hernández and Teoscar Hernández, sealing the Dodgers’ NLCS berth.
The Padres’ season ended in “stunning” silence, as their offense was completely shut down in the final two games of the series, going a season-high 24 consecutive innings without scoring. This marked the longest scoreless stretch in the postseason since the 1991 Braves, as detailed by the San Diego Union-Tribune. This highlights the immense pressure and clutch pitching often seen in these decisive contests.
A Look Back at Unforgettable Game 5 Showdowns
Beyond the recent past, the history of Division Series Game 5s is rich with moments that have become etched in baseball lore.
Clutch Performances and Rivalry Intensifiers
- 2021 NLDS: Dodgers 2, Giants 1 – An epic showdown between two 105-plus win rivals in their first postseason meeting. Cody Bellinger’s go-ahead single in the ninth and Max Scherzer’s first career save cemented a dramatic victory.
- 2020 ALDS: Rays 2, Yankees 1 – A heated rivalry saw Mike Brosseau hit a tense 10-pitch, 0-2 count home run off Aroldis Chapman, sending Tampa Bay to the ALCS.
- 2015 ALDS: Blue Jays 6, Rangers 3 – Jose Bautista’s iconic three-run, bat-flipping homer sparked a fierce rivalry that spilled into subsequent seasons.
Comebacks and Offensive Explosions
- 2019 NLDS: Nationals 7, Dodgers 3 – The 106-win Dodgers saw their lead vanish as Clayton Kershaw gave up back-to-back homers, followed by Howie Kendrick’s grand slam off Joe Kelly in the 10th inning, propelling the Nationals to their World Series title run.
- 2019 NLDS: Cardinals 13, Braves 1 – A historic offensive outburst saw St. Louis score 10 runs in the first inning, tying a postseason record and marking the largest elimination loss in postseason history for the Braves.
- 2017 ALDS: Yankees 5, Indians 2 – The Yankees overcame an 0-2 deficit against an Indians team fresh off a 22-game winning streak, winning two games at home before taking the decisive Game 5 in Cleveland.
- 2012 NLDS: Cardinals 9, Nationals 7 – Down to their final out, the Cardinals rallied for four runs in the ninth, stunning the Nationals in a memorable comeback.
Pitching Masterpieces and Historic Upsets
- 2013 ALDS: Tigers 3, A’s 0 – Justin Verlander delivered one of his signature postseason gems, pitching eight scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts in a hostile environment.
- 2011 NLDS: Cardinals 1, Phillies 0 – In an epic pitching duel, Chris Carpenter threw a complete-game shutout against the juggernaut Phillies, who featured an all-star rotation including Roy Halladay, securing a remarkable upset for St. Louis.
- 1995 ALDS: Mariners 6, Yankees 5 (11 innings) – Arguably one of the most iconic Game 5s, Edgar Martinez’s walk-off two-run double scored Ken Griffey Jr., a moment widely credited with saving baseball in Seattle.
The Fan’s Perspective: The Do-or-Die Mentality
For fans, these Game 5s are a true test of loyalty and nerve. The phrase “winner take all” or “win or go home” perfectly captures the essence. The narratives shift drastically with every pitch, every hit, every out. From the pre-game jitters to the final celebratory roar or the devastating silence, the emotional investment is immense. Stories of special outfits, lucky rituals, and communal watch parties are commonplace, as highlighted by the Inglewood locals preparing for the Dodgers’ 2024 Game 5 showdown.
The history of do-or-die games for teams like the Padres and Cubs offers a glimpse into their franchise identities. The Padres hold a 3-1 record in such contests, notably beating the Cubs in the 1984 NLCS Game 5. However, their recent 2024 NLDS loss to the Dodgers remains a fresh wound. The Cubs, despite their storied “curse of the billy goat” and its breaking in 2016, have a 4-3 record in decisive playoff games since 1945, showing a mixed bag of triumphs and heartbreaks in these ultimate tests.
As the 2025 Division Series culminates, baseball fans around the world will be tuning in, ready to witness another chapter of thrilling, high-stakes Game 5 drama unfold. Whether it’s a pitching duel, a walk-off hero, or a shocking comeback, these games consistently deliver the unforgettable moments that define MLB’s postseason legend.
