1993 National League Championship Series

1993 National League Championship Series
Year	1993
Champion	Philadelphia Phillies
Champion manager	Jim Fregosi
Champion games	97–65, .599
Runnerup	Atlanta Braves
Runnerup manager	Bobby Cox
Runnerup games	104–58, .642
Dates	October 6–14, 1993
Mvp	Curt Schilling
Television	Fox

1993 National League Championship Series

The 1993 National League Championship Series matched the Philadelphia Phillies against the Atlanta Braves in a rematch of the 1993 season's divisional races, following postseason victories by the Phillies over the Los Angeles Dodgers and by the Braves over the Philadelphia Phillies' division rival landscape—culminating in a dramatic seven-game NLCS. The series featured playoff veterans and stars such as Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Curt Schilling, Darren Daulton, Lenny Dykstra, Mike Devereaux, David Justice, Sid Bream, and managers Jim Fregosi and Bobby Cox.

Background

The 1993 season saw the Atlanta Braves win the National League West with a 104–58 record behind pitching aces Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine and closer Mark Wohlers, while the Philadelphia Phillies captured the National League East at 97–65 led by slugging outfielders Lenny Dykstra and Mickey Morandini and bullpen stalwart Mitch Williams. The Phillies defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1993 National League Division Series highlighted by performances from John Kruk and Curt Schilling, while the Braves overcame the Philadelphia Phillies' rival path and dispatched the Chicago White Sox-adjacent competition en route to the NLCS. The matchup reignited narratives about pitching duels featuring Greg Maddux versus the Phillies' rotation including Curt Schilling and the emergence of postseason heroes such as Darren Daulton.

Series summary

Game 1 at Veterans Stadium opened with the Phillies taking a 1–0 series lead thanks to timely hitting and bullpen work; the Braves responded in Game 2 to even the series behind the veteran craft of John Smoltz. The teams traded wins in Games 3 and 4 at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, with the Phillies rallying late and the Braves answering with power from David Justice and situational hitting from Sid Bream. Game 5 shifted momentum back to Philadelphia as Curt Schilling delivered key innings, and Game 6 in Atlanta saw a dramatic comeback by the Braves to force a decisive Game 7. In Game 7, clutch hitting and managerial decisions produced a tightly contested finale that ended the series.

Game summaries

Game 1 (October 6): At Veterans Stadium, Phillies starter Terry Mulholland faced Tom Glavine; the Phillies scratched across early runs via Lenny Dykstra and Darren Daulton while the bullpen, including Mitch Williams, preserved a narrow win. Key linked figures: Jim Fregosi, Bobby Cox, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz.

Game 2 (October 7): The Braves rallied behind pinch hitters and production from Ron Gant and David Justice; closer Mark Wohlers closed out the contest as Tom Glavine and the Atlanta defense contained Phillies threats.

Game 3 (October 9): At Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, Phillies ace Curt Schilling battled Greg Maddux in a pitching duel; late-inning offense from Mickey Morandini and strategic moves by Jim Fregosi produced a Phillies victory.

Game 4 (October 10): The Braves evened the series with a victory powered by John Smoltz's effectiveness and clutch work by Sid Bream and Deion Sanders contributing on the basepaths and defense.

Game 5 (October 11): Returning to Philadelphia, the Phillies seized a pivotal win; Lenny Dykstra and Darren Daulton supplied key RBIs while Curt Schilling's relief appearance and the Phillies bullpen secured the game.

Game 6 (October 13): The Braves mounted a comeback in Atlanta behind veteran hitting from David Justice and situational plays by Mark Lemke, with Tom Glavine and John Smoltz combining to hand the series back to Atlanta for a Game 7.

Game 7 (October 14): A decisive contest at Veterans Stadium featured starting pitching matchups, defensive plays by Mickey Morandini and Lenny Dykstra, and clutch at-bats from Darren Daulton; the Phillies emerged victorious, clinching the National League pennant and sending key players to the World Series.

Key players and performances

- Curt Schilling: NLCS Most Valuable Player; dominant innings and durability across multiple starts and relief appearances propelled Phillies pitching alongside veterans Terry Mulholland and spot appearances by Tommy Greene. - Lenny Dykstra: Consistent offensive catalyst and on-base presence, teaming with John Kruk and Mickey Morandini to pressure Braves pitching led by Greg Maddux. - Darren Daulton: Clutch hitting and leadership behind the plate; pivotal RBIs and game management complemented bullpen work from Mitch Williams. - Greg Maddux / Tom Glavine / John Smoltz: The Braves' "Big Three" rotation provided elite command and postseason experience, with support from positional talents David Justice, Ron Gant, Sid Bream, and utility contributors like Mark Lemke and Deion Sanders. - Managers Jim Fregosi and Bobby Cox: Tactical decisions, bullpen usage, and lineup construction by Jim Fregosi and veteran skipper Bobby Cox shaped late-game strategies and pinch-hitting choices.

Aftermath and impact

The Phillies' pennant advanced them to the 1993 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, marking Philadelphia's first World Series appearance since 1983. The series underscored the continued dominance of Braves pitching in the National League during the early 1990s and elevated Curt Schilling's postseason reputation prior to his later careers with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox. The 1993 NLCS also influenced front-office decisions for personnel moves involving players such as Mitch Williams and organizational strategies across franchises including the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies as they navigated free agency and the impending 1994 Major League Baseball strike-era roster constructions. The contest remains a referenced chapter in postseason histories involving veterans like John Kruk, Mickey Morandini, David Justice, and managerial legacies including Bobby Cox's Hall of Fame trajectory.

Category:National League Championship Series Category:1993 Major League Baseball postseason