| Cardinals–Dodgers rivalry | |
| Team1logo: | St. Louis Cardinals insignia logo.svg |
| Team2logo: | LA Dodgers.svg |
| Team1: | St. Louis Cardinals |
| Team2: | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| City Or Region: | United States |
| Firstmeeting: | May 29, 1884[1] Washington Park, Brooklyn, New York Browns 0, Atlantics 1 |
| Mostrecent: | August 18, 2024 Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri Dodgers 2, Cardinals 1 |
| Nextmeeting: | June 6, 2025 Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri |
| Total: | 2,235 |
| Series: | Cardinals, |
| Regularseason: | Cardinals, |
| Postseason: | Cardinals, [2] |
| Currentstreak: | Dodgers, 1 |
| Section Header: | Post-season history |
The Cardinals–Dodgers rivalry is a Major League Baseball (MLB) National League rivalry played between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cardinals and Dodgers are two of the most successful franchises in the National League, combining for 18 World Series titles. St. Louis and Los Angeles are approximately 1,824 miles apart along Route 66.
Both the Cardinals and Dodgers are two of the oldest franchises in the MLB, predating its 1901 creation. The two teams first met during the 1884 season as members of the American Association. The Cardinals franchise (originally known as the Browns) began in 1882 in St. Louis, Missouri and the Dodgers franchise (originally known as the Atlantics, Grays, and Bridegrooms) began in 1883 in Brooklyn, New York. The Bridgegrooms joined the National League in 1890, while the Browns joined the National League in 1892. Following 77 consecutive seasons in a single-league structure, the National League instituted divisions in 1969, which led to the two teams not playing in the same division. However, frequent close pennant races and matchups in the postseason caused the rivalry to grow in intensity through the decades, particularly during the mid 1960s, 1980s, and 2000s–2010s. From 1963 to 1968 either the Cardinals or Dodgers represented the National League in the World Series. In the 1980s, 2000s, and 2010s the two teams also regularly met in the postseason, with a World Series berth on the line.[3] [4] [5] Both teams have met each other 2,211 times in the regular season, with 24 postseason games between them.[6] The Cardinals currently have the most regular season wins at 1,109, and the most postseason wins at 14.[7]
Though not as heated as the Dodgers–Giants or Cardinals–Cubs rivalries, there is more mutual respect between both teams; though animosity has steadily grown between both teams.[8] [9] [10]
The Cardinals–Dodgers rivalry was particularly intense from 1941 through 1949.[11] [12] [13] In his autobiography written in 1948, Leo Durocher, who managed the Dodgers for most of the 1940s, described the Cardinals as being "our old rivals."[14] During this period, the Cardinals won the National League pennant 4 times (with the Dodgers finishing 2nd twice) and the Dodgers won the National League pennant 3 times (with the Cardinals finishing 2nd each time). In 1942 the Cardinals overcame a 10 game Dodger lead in early August to win the pennant.[15] In 1946 the Cardinals and Dodgers finished the regular season tied for first place but the Cardinals won the pennant when they prevailed in the first ever playoff tiebreaker in the National League.[16] Cardinal Hall of Famer Enos Slaughter said during this period of the Cardinals–Dodgers rivalry that "We loved to hate them and they loved to hate us."[17]
During this period, after the 1942 season, Branch Rickey, who had built up the Cardinals farm system as their general manager moved to become the Dodgers' general manager.[16] In 1947, after Rickey broke the color line by signing Jackie Robinson to the Dodgers, there were rumors that southerners playing for the Cardinals were planning to boycott games against the Dodgers, although the players later denied it.[18] In general, the Cardinals were latecomers to integration. Front-office executive Bing Devine said the owner from 1947 to 1953, Fred Saigh, refused to sign black players. There was a widespread belief that St. Louis was, in many ways, a Southern city. In the mid-1950s many of its stores and restaurants refused to serve black customers. The Cardinals, with baseball’s largest radio network blanketing the Midwest and South, had cultivated white Southern fans. Their ballpark was also the last in the majors to abolish segregated seating.[19] [20] Because of their lack of black players, the Cardinals play suffered on the field tremendously in the 1950s. Meanwhile, with the success of Robinson, the Dodgers doubled down on the opportunity to sign players of color from the Negro leagues. In the subsequent years after their pennant-winning season in 1947, they would sign Don Newcombe, Roy Campanella, and Jim Gilliam from the Negro leagues, adding to an already tremendous team. The Dodgers made the World Series in 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, and 1959 (winning championships in 1955 and 1959) and were a historic pennant race away from making it in 1951, in part because they were the first to accept African American players. The 1951 season included a 14-game winning streak for the Dodgers against the Cardinals, the longest such streak in the rivalry.
By their 1959 World Series victory, the Dodgers had moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles the previous year. The Dodgers (and Giants) moving to California meant that the St. Louis Cardinals were no longer the furthest team West.
The rivalry renewed in 1963 when the Cardinals won 19 out of 20 games to almost overtake a large Dodger lead in the standings, although the Dodgers ultimately prevailed to win the pennant.[21] The streak reminded people (including Cardinal Hall of Famer Stan Musial, who started in 1941 and was in his final season in 1963) of the 1942 performance, despite the result.[21] From 1963 to 1968, either the Cardinals or Dodgers represented the National League in the World Series. 1963, 1965, and 1966 for Los Angeles and 1964, 1967, and 1968 for St. Louis. This streak nearly extended to 1962, but the Dodgers were beaten in the 1962 National League tie-breaker by the Giants in three games. By the 1960s, some of the best Cardinals players were of color, such as Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Curt Flood, Orlando Cepeda, and Bill White, as the team was more open to accepting players of color at this time.[22] [23]
For the Cardinals, the 1970s represented one of the dimmest period as a franchise as they finished the decade with a .496 winning percentage, the lowest until that point since the 1910s. The Dodgers maintained their postseason contender status, despite having a dip in performance in the late 1960s after the sudden retirement of Sandy Koufax following the 1966 World Series. In the 1970s, the Dodgers made three World Series (1974, 1977, 1978), but were defeated in all three. In some respect, the Cincinnati Reds took the Cardinals place as the Dodgers' Midwest foe, particularly throughout the mid 1970s.[24] [25] [26]
Since divisional baseball started in 1969, the Cardinals and Dodgers have met six times in the postseason with two meetings in the NLCS falling in favor of the Cardinals. The two teams nearly met in the 1982 National League Championship Series, but a late Dodgers collapse in the regular season prevented that from happening (the Cardinals won the 1982 pennant and World Series).[27] In what could be considered biggest moment in the rivalry, the two teams finally played each other in the 1985 National League Championship Series for their first official postseason match-up. The series is best known for Ozzie Smith's dramatic walk-off home run in Game 5 and Jack Clark's series-winning home run in Game 6 at Dodger Stadium. To add extra significance, it was Smith's first career home-run batting left handed, as he was a switch-hitter, with all of his power coming from the right-side. Smith's Game 5 walk-off home run was voted the greatest moment in the history of Busch Stadium in 2005, and was the source of Jack Buck's famous call "Go crazy, folks! Go crazy!".[28]
In 1988, the two teams completed a controversial, yet beneficial blockbuster trade when John Tudor was traded to the Dodgers in exchange for Pedro Guerrero at the trade deadline.[29] The Dodgers won the World Series in 1988, as Tudor helped stabilize the Dodgers' rotation down the stretch, going 4-3 in nine starts with a 2.41 ERA, although he was mostly ineffective in the postseason. To complete the trade, Guerrero signed a three-year contract with the Cardinals. He enjoyed another All-Star season in 1989, hitting .311/.391/.477 with 17 home runs, 117 runs batted in and a league-leading 42 doubles and finished third in NL MVP voting. It was the third time he finished third in MVP voting in his career (the other two being 1982 and 1985). To date, this is the most significant trade between the Cardinals and Dodgers.Overall in the 1980s, the Dodgers and Cardinals dominated the National League. With timely hitting, good defense, and dominant pitching, the Dodgers won two World Series in the decade (1981, 1988), made the postseason four times (1981, 1983, 1985, 1988), and played in a one-game playoff in 1980. With the omnipresent threat of the stolen base and big time clutch hitting, the Cardinals reign of dominance earned three World Series appearances in 1982, 1985, and 1987, winning their lone championship of the decade in 1982. Both teams had what could be considered a lean period for a storied franchise after this era. The Dodgers did not seriously challenge in the National League West again until 1991 and did not make the postseason again until 1995. After 1987, the Cardinals did not make the postseason again until 1996, which by this time they were in the newly created National League Central division. Additionally, Hall of Fame managers Whitey Herzog and Tommy Lasorda retired by the time the rivalry sparked again.
The next significant moments of the rivalry came during the 1990s, which were a down period for both teams. On June 29, 1990, long-time Dodgers ace pitcher Fernando Valenzuela had his last great moment of his career when he threw a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals just hours after the Oakland Athletics' Dave Stewart threw one. It was only time two no-hitters were thrown on the same day. On August 10, 1995, the Cardinals-Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium was forfeited after fans hurled giveaway baseballs onto the field in disgust over bad calls and player ejections throughout the game. The Dodgers had to forfeit their game against the Cardinals with one out in the bottom of the ninth. "It was unbelievable," Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda said at the time, according to the Los Angeles Times. "I've never seen anything like this. I'm disappointed in the ones who threw the balls, not the good fans."[30] On April 23, 1999, St. Louis Cardinals Fernando Tatís made baseball history when he hit two grand slams in one inning.[31] He is the only batter in MLB history to accomplish this feat.[32] Tatís hit both of his grand slams against starting pitcher Chan Ho Park of the Los Angeles Dodgers. With these two grand slams, Tatís also set a Major League record with eight runs batted in during a single inning.[33]
The Cardinals did not play the Dodgers again in the postseason until 2004 when the heavily favored Cardinals defeated the Dodgers in four games in the National League Division Series; however, the Cardinals lost the World Series to the Red Sox in a four game sweep. The 2004 NLDS was a microcosm of the Cardinals–Dodgers rivalry at this point, as St. Louis often dominated Los Angeles in the early-to-mid 2000s. The Dodgers did not even beat the Cardinals over a year and a half period (10 games from 2005 through 2007). This began to change around the time of their next meeting in 2009. In 2009, the Dodgers defeated the Cardinals in the National League Division Series in a three-game sweep. The series was highlighted by a Game 2 Matt Holliday gaffe in left-field when he lost a James Loney fly ball in the lights to put the tying run aboard. Later in the inning, pinch hitter Mark Loretta came through for Los Angeles with a single up the middle to give them the walk-off win and a commanding 2-0 series lead.
The Cardinals returned the favor, beating the Dodgers in the 2013 National League Championship Series in six games. Although from a Dodgers perspective, this series is remembered for Joe Kelly hitting Hanley Ramirez in the hand during the first inning of game one, which essentially took out the Dodgers best hitter for the entire series. Ramirez still played, but was bothered all series by the hit by pitch. Ironically, Kelly would later become a Dodger and a fan-favorite, helping them win a World Series in 2020.[34] The Cardinals and Dodgers met again during the 2014 National League Division Series with the Cardinals winning again and getting the better of 2013–2014 Cy Young award and 2014 Most Valuable Player winner Clayton Kershaw. Between the 2013 National League Championship Series and the 2014 National League Division Series, the Cardinals beat Kershaw in all four of his starts, highlighted by a series-winning home run from Matt Adams in Game 4 of the 2014 NLDS off a tiring Kershaw in the seventh inning. Game 1 also saw a heated altercation between Cardinals’ catcher Yadier Molina and Dodgers’ outfielder Yasiel Puig culminating in both benches clearing following a stray pitch from Cardinals’ pitcher Adam Wainwright.[35] The Dodgers season ended at the hands of the Cardinals in 2004, 2013, and 2014 and they often lost the regular season series, particularly in the 2000s.
From 2000 to 2020, the Cardinals and Dodgers won a combined three World Series (2006, 2011 for St. Louis and 2020 for Los Angeles) and appeared in combined seven World Series. They were also perennial postseason contenders, with Los Angeles making the postseason every year from 2013 to 2020. Meanwhile, St. Louis made the postseason 14 of 20 seasons from 2000 to 2020.
The two teams met again in the postseason in the 2021 National League Wild Card Game, with the Dodgers winning in the ninth on a two-run Chris Taylor walk-off home run.[36]
The next significant moment of the rivalry occurred during the start of the 2024 regular season, which saw the debut of baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani in a Dodgers uniform. It was the first time since 1998 St. Louis met Los Angeles on opening day and the first time since 1984 St. Louis opened the season in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium. Before his start on opening day Miles Mikolas added some flame to a dormant rivalry when describing the Dodgers. “We’re not exactly a low payroll team, but you got the Dodgers playing checkbook baseball", he stated. "We’re going to be the hardest working group of Midwestern farmers we can be. It would be great to stick it to the Dodgers.” Mikolas would pitch poorly in his start, going just 4.1 innings and giving up 5 earned runs. The Dodgers won the opening series, 3–1.[37]
|-| | style=";" | Browns| style=";" | 721| style=";" | Browns, 50| Tie, 221| style=";" | Browns
721||-| | style=";" | Browns| style=";" | 124| style=";" | Browns, 70| style=";" | Browns, 54| style=";" | Browns
1961| Atlantics change their name to "Grays"
Browns tie 1885 pre-modern World Series, though Browns claim game 2 forfeit didn't count and therefore claim the championship.|-| | style=";" | Browns| style=";" | 137| style=";" | Browns, 73| style=";" | Browns, 64| style=";" | Browns
32131| Browns win 1886 pre-modern World Series|-| | style=";" | Browns| style=";" | 164| style=";" | Browns, 82| style=";" | Browns, 82| style=";" | Browns
48171| Browns lose 1887 pre-modern World Series|-| | Tie| 10101| style=";" | Browns, 64| style=";" | Bridegrooms, 641| style=";" | Browns
58272| Grays change their name to "Bridegrooms"
Browns lose 1888 pre-modern World Series|-| | style=";" | Browns| style=";" | 118| style=";" | Browns, 64| style=";" | Bridegrooms, 54| style=";" | Browns
69352| Bridegrooms' last season in the American Association, before switching to the National League.
Bridegrooms lose 1889 pre-modern World Series|-| | style=";" | Grooms| style=";" | 951| style=";" | Grooms, 34| style=";" | Grooms, 521| style=";" | Browns
74443| Bridegrooms have since changed their name to "Grooms"
Browns join the National League|-| | style=";" | Grooms| style=";" | 84| style=";" | Browns, 42| style=";" | Grooms, 60| style=";" | Browns
78523||-| | style=";" | Grooms| style=";" | 84| style=";" | Grooms, 42| style=";" | Grooms, 42| style=";" | Browns
82603||-| | style=";" | Grooms| style=";" | 93| Tie, 33| style=";" | Grooms, 60| style=";" | Browns
85693||-| | style=";" | Bridgegrooms| style=";" | 75| style=";" | Browns, 42| style=";" | Bridegrooms, 51| style=";" | Browns
90763||-| | style=";" | Bridgegrooms| style=";" | 75| Tie, 33| style=";" | Bridegrooms, 42| style=";" | Browns
95833| Grooms change their name to "Bridegrooms"|-| | style=";" | Bridgegrooms| style=";" | 761| style=";" | Browns, 43| style=";" | Bridegrooms, 421| style=";" | Browns
101904||-| | style=";" | Superbas| style=";" | 841| style=";" | Superbas, 521| style=";" | Superbas, 32| style=";" | Perfectos
105985| Browns change their name to "Perfectos."
Bridegrooms change their name to "Superbas," win 1899 NL pennant.|-| | style=";" | Superbas| style=";" | 137| style=";" | Superbas, 73| style=";" | Superbas, 64| style=";" | Cardinals
1121115| Perfectos change their name to "Cardinals."
September 19 game was forfeited to the Dodgers, giving them a home win.
Superbas win 1900 NL pennant.
Superbas win the 1900 Chronicle-Telegraph Cup.|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 119| style=";" | Cardinals, 64| Tie, 55| style=";" | Cardinals
1231205||-| | style=";" | Superbas| style=";" | 1092| style=";" | Cardinals, 732| style=";" | Superbas, 72| style=";" | Cardinals
1321307||-| | style=";" | Superbas| style=";" | 1441| style=";" | Superbas, 621| style=";" | Superbas, 82| style=";" | Superbas
1441368||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 157| style=";" | Cardinals, 92| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| Tie
1511518||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 1210| style=";" | Cardinals, 75| Tie, 55| style=";" | Cardinals
1631618||-| | style=";" | Superbas| style=";" | 1381| style=";" | Superbas, 65| style=";" | Superbas, 731| style=";" | Superbas
1741719||-| | style=";" | Superbas| style=";" | 148| style=";" | Superbas, 65| style=";" | Superbas, 83| style=";" | Superbas
1881799||-| | style=";" | Superbas| style=";" | 139| style=";" | Superbas, 74| style=";" | Superbas, 65| style=";" | Superbas
2011889||-| | style=";" | Superbas| style=";" | 12101| style=";" | Cardinals, 741| style=";" | Superbas, 83| style=";" | Superbas
21319810||-| | style=";" | Superbas| style=";" | 1210| style=";" | Cardinals, 74| style=";" | Superbas, 83| style=";" | Superbas
22520810||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 1191| style=";" | Trolley Dodgers, 541| style=";" | Cardinals, 74| style=";" | Trolley Dodgers
23421911| Superbas change name to "Trolley Dodgers"|-| | style=";" | Trolley Dodgers| style=";" | 1110| style=";" | Cardinals, 83| style=";" | Trolley Dodgers, 82| style=";" | Trolley Dodgers
24522911||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 137| style=";" | Dodgers, 54| style=";" | Trolley Dodgers, 83| style=";" | Dodgers
25823611| Trolley Dodgers shorten name to "Dodgers"|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 175| style=";" | Cardinals, 101| style=";" | Cardinals, 74| style=";" | Robins
26325311| Dodgers change name to "Robins"|-| | Tie| 1111| style=";" | Cardinals, 74| style=";" | Robins, 74| style=";" | Robins
27426411||-| | style=";" | Robins| style=";" | 157| style=";" | Robins, 65| style=";" | Robins, 92| style=";" | Robins
28927111| Robins lose 1916 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 1110| style=";" | Cardinals, 83| style=";" | Robins, 73| style=";" | Robins
29928211||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 118| style=";" | Cardinals, 74| Tie, 44| style=";" | Robins
30729311||-| | style=";" | Robins| style=";" | 119| style=";" | Cardinals, 64| style=";" | Robins, 73| style=";" | Robins
31830211||-| | style=";" | Robins| style=";" | 157| style=";" | Robins, 73| style=";" | Robins, 84| style=";" | Robins
33330911| Cardinals move to Sportsman's Park
Robins lose 1920 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 148| style=";" | Cardinals, 92| style=";" | Robins, 65| style=";" | Robins
34132311||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 148| style=";" | Cardinals, 83| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| style=";" | Robins
34933711||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 1210| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| style=";" | Robins
35934911||-| | style=";" | Robins| style=";" | 157| style=";" | Robins, 74| style=";" | Robins, 83| style=";" | Robins
37435611||-| | Tie| 1111| style=";" | Cardinals, 83| style=";" | Robins, 83| style=";" | Robins
38536711||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 157| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| style=";" | Cardinals, 92| style=";" | Robins
39238211| Cardinals win 1926 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 148| style=";" | Cardinals, 83| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| style=";" | Robins
40039611||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 139| style=";" | Robins, 65| style=";" | Cardinals, 83| Tie
40940911| Cardinals lose 1928 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 1210| style=";" | Cardinals, 74| style=";" | Robins, 65| style=";" | Cardinals
42141911||-| | Tie| 1111| style=";" | Robins, 65| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| style=";" | Cardinals
43243011| Cardinals lose 1930 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 1210| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| style=";" | Cardinals
44444011| Cardinals win 1931 World Series|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 148| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| style=";" | Robins, 92| style=";" | Dodgers
45445211| Robins change their name to "Dodgers"|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 129| style=";" | Dodgers, 64| style=";" | Cardinals, 83| style=";" | Cardinals
46446311||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 157| style=";" | Cardinals, 74| style=";" | Cardinals, 83| style=";" | Cardinals
47947011| On June 21, Cardinals take a 467–466–11 series lead, a lead the Cardinals have not relinquished to this day.
Cardinals win 1934 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 166| style=";" | Cardinals, 83| style=";" | Cardinals, 83| style=";" | Cardinals
49547611||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 139| style=";" | Cardinals, 64| style=";" | Cardinals, 75| style=";" | Cardinals
50848511||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 1571| style=";" | Cardinals, 93| style=";" | Cardinals, 641| style=";" | Cardinals
52349212||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 1291| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| style=";" | Cardinals, 641| style=";" | Cardinals
53550113||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 139| style=";" | Cardinals, 83| style=";" | Dodgers, 65| style=";" | Cardinals
54851013||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 1391| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| style=";" | Cardinals, 741| style=";" | Cardinals
56151914||-| | Tie| 11111| style=";" | Cardinals, 651| style=";" | Dodgers, 65| style=";" | Cardinals
57253015| Dodgers lose 1941 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 139| style=";" | Cardinals, 83| style=";" | Dodgers, 65| style=";" | Cardinals
58553915| Cardinals win 1942 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 157| style=";" | Cardinals, 83| style=";" | Cardinals, 74| style=";" | Cardinals
60054615| Cardinals lose 1943 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 184| style=";" | Cardinals, 101| style=";" | Cardinals, 83| style=";" | Cardinals
61855015| Cardinals win 1944 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 139| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| style=";" | Cardinals, 74| style=";" | Cardinals
63155915||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 168| style=";" | Cardinals, 93| style=";" | Cardinals, 75| style=";" | Cardinals
64756715| Cardinals win 1946 World Series|-| | Tie| 11111| style=";" | Dodgers, 65| style=";" | Cardinals, 651| style=";" | Cardinals
65857816| Dodgers 2B Jackie Robinson becomes the first African-American player in MLB history.
Dodgers lose 1947 World Series|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 1210| style=";" | Dodgers, 74| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| style=";" | Cardinals
66859016||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 12102| style=";" | Dodgers, 651| style=";" | Cardinals, 741| style=";" | Cardinals
68060018| Dodgers lose 1949 World Series|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 1210| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| style=";" | Dodgers, 74| style=";" | Cardinals
69061218||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 184| style=";" | Dodgers, 92| style=";" | Dodgers, 92| style=";" | Cardinals
69463018||-| | Tie| 1111| style=";" | Dodgers, 74| style=";" | Cardinals, 74| style=";" | Cardinals
70564118| Dodgers lose 1952 World Series|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 157| style=";" | Cardinals, 74| style=";" | Dodgers, 110| style=";" | Cardinals
71265618| Dodgers lose 1953 World Series|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 148| style=";" | Dodgers, 65| style=";" | Dodgers, 83| style=";" | Cardinals
72067018||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 148| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| style=";" | Dodgers, 92| style=";" | Cardinals
72868418| Dodgers win 1955 World Series|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 166| style=";" | Dodgers, 83| style=";" | Dodgers, 83| style=";" | Cardinals
73470018| Dodgers lose 1956 World Series|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 1210| style=";" | Dodgers, 65| style=";" | Dodgers, 65| style=";" | Cardinals
74471218||-| | Tie| 1111| style=";" | Cardinals, 74| style=";" | Dodgers, 74| style=";" | Cardinals
75572318| Dodgers relocate to Los Angeles, playing at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 1210| style=";" | Dodgers, 65| style=";" | Dodgers, 65| style=";" | Cardinals
76573518| Dodgers win 1959 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 1210| style=";" | Cardinals, 83| style=";" | Dodgers, 74| style=";" | Cardinals
77774518||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 1210| style=";" | Cardinals, 65| style=";" | Dodgers, 74| style=";" | Cardinals
78775718||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 117| style=";" | Dodgers, 54| style=";" | Cardinals, 72| style=";" | Cardinals
79876418| Dodgers open Dodger Stadium. NL expansion reduces schedule to 18 meetings per year.|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 126| style=";" | Dodgers, 72| style=";" | Dodgers, 54| style=";" | Cardinals
80477618||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 108| style=";" | Cardinals, 54| style=";" | Dodgers, 63| style=";" | Cardinals
81278618| Cardinals win 1964 World Series|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 126| style=";" | Dodgers, 72| style=";" | Dodgers, 54| style=";" | Cardinals
81879818| Dodgers win 1965 World Series|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 108| style=";" | Dodgers, 63| style=";" | Cardinals, 54| style=";" | Cardinals
82680818| Cardinals open Busch Memorial Stadium
Dodgers lose 1966 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 126| style=";" | Cardinals, 72| style=";" | Cardinals, 54| style=";" | Cardinals
83881418| Cardinals win 1967 World Series|-| | Tie| 99| style=";" | Dodgers, 54| style=";" | Cardinals, 54| style=";" | Cardinals
84782318| Cardinals lose 1968 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 93| style=";" | Cardinals, 51| style=";" | Cardinals, 42| style=";" | Cardinals
85682618| MLB's expansion and realignment place the Cardinals in the NL East and Dodgers in the NL West. New division alignment shortens meetings from 18 to 12 games.|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 75| style=";" | Dodgers, 51| style=";" | Cardinals, 42| style=";" | Cardinals
86183318||-| | Tie| 66| Tie, 33| Tie, 33| style=";" | Cardinals
86783918||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 84| style=";" | Dodgers, 42| style=";" | Dodgers, 42| style=";" | Cardinals
87184718||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 84| Tie, 33| style=";" | Dodgers, 51| style=";" | Cardinals
87585518||-| | Tie| 66| style=";" | Dodgers, 42| style=";" | Cardinals, 42| style=";" | Cardinals
88186118| Dodgers lose 1974 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 75| Tie, 33| style=";" | Cardinals, 42| style=";" | Cardinals
88886618||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 102| style=";" | Dodgers, 42| style=";" | Dodgers, 60| style=";" | Cardinals
89087618||-| | Tie| 66| style=";" | Cardinals, 51| style=";" | Dodgers, 51| style=";" | Cardinals
89688218| Dodgers lose 1977 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 75| style=";" | Cardinals, 42| Tie, 33| style=";" | Cardinals
90388718| Dodgers lose 1978 World Series|-| | Tie| 66| Tie, 33| Tie, 33| style=";" | Cardinals
90989318||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 75| style=";" | Cardinals, 42| style=";" | Dodgers, 51| style=";" | Cardinals
91490018||-| | Tie| 55| Tie, 33| Tie, 22| style=";" | Cardinals
91990518| Strike-shortened season.
Dodgers win 1981 World Series|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 75| style=";" | Dodgers, 42| Tie, 33| style=";" | Cardinals
92491218| Cardinals win 1982 World Series|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 93| style=";" | Dodgers, 42| style=";" | Dodgers, 51| style=";" | Cardinals
92792118||-| | Tie| 66| Tie, 33| Tie, 33| style=";" | Cardinals
93392718||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 75| Tie, 33| style=";" | Dodgers, 42| style=";" | Cardinals
93893418| Cardinals lose 1985 World Series|-style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"| 1985 NLCS| style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 42| style=";" | 30| style=";" | Dodgers, 21| style=";" | Cardinals
94293618||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 84| style=";" | Dodgers, 42| style=";" | Dodgers, 42| style=";" | Cardinals
94694418||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 93| style=";" | Cardinals, 51| style=";" | Cardinals, 42| style=";" | Cardinals
95594718| On May 10, Dodgers come one game from ending the Cardinals' 53-season series lead (948–947–18), though are unable to overcome it. The Cardinals' series lead remains to this day.
Cardinals lose 1987 World Series|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 75| Tie, 33| style=";" | Dodgers, 42| style=";" | Cardinals
96095418| Dodgers win 1988 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 93| style=";" | Cardinals, 60| Tie, 33| style=";" | Cardinals
96995718||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 75| style=";" | Dodgers, 51| style=";" | Cardinals, 42| style=";" | Cardinals
97496418||-| | Tie| 66| style=";" | Cardinals, 42| style=";" | Dodgers, 42| style=";" | Cardinals
98097018||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 84| style=";" | Cardinals, 42| style=";" | Cardinals, 42| style=";" | Cardinals
98897418||-| | Tie| 66| style=";" | Dodgers, 51| style=";" | Cardinals, 51| style=";" | Cardinals
99498018||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 42| style=";" | Cardinals, 21| style=";" | Cardinals, 21| style=";" | Cardinals
99898218| MLB realignment shifts Cardinals into NL Central. Dodgers remain in NL West.
Strike-shortened season. Strike cancel postseason|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 75| style=";" | Dodgers, 42| Tie, 33| style=";" | Cardinals
100398918| Strike-shortened season|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 84| style=";" | Dodgers, 42| style=";" | Dodgers, 42| style=";" | Cardinals
100799718||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 65| Tie, 33| style=";" | Cardinals, 32| style=";" | Cardinals
1013100218||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 54| style=";" | Cardinals, 42| style=";" | Dodgers, 21| style=";" | Cardinals
1018100618||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 63| style=";" | Cardinals, 21| style=";" | Cardinals, 42| style=";" | Cardinals
1024100918||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 63| style=";" | Cardinals, 42| style=";" | Cardinals, 21| style=";" | Cardinals
1030101218||-| | Tie| 33| style=";" | Cardinals, 21| style=";" | Dodgers, 21| style=";" | Cardinals
1033101518||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 42| Tie, 22| style=";" | Cardinals, 20| style=";" | Cardinals
1037101718||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 42| style=";" | Dodgers, 20| Tie, 22| style=";" | Cardinals
1039102118||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 42| style=";" | Cardinals, 30| style=";" | Dodgers, 21| style=";" | Cardinals
1043102318||-style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"| 2004 NLDS| style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 31| style=";" | Cardinals, 20| Tie, 11| style=";" | Cardinals
1046102418| Cardinals lose 2004 World Series.|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 52| style=";" | Cardinals, 31| style=";" | Cardinals, 21| style=";" | Cardinals
1051102618||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 70| style=";" | Cardinals, 40| style=";" | Cardinals, 30| style=";" | Cardinals
1058102618| Cardinals open Busch Stadium, win 2006 World Series|-| | Tie| 33| style=";" | Cardinals, 21| style=";" | Dodgers, 21| style=";" | Cardinals
1061102918||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 42| style=";" | Cardinals, 21| style=";" | Cardinals, 21| style=";" | Cardinals
1065103118||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 52| style=";" | Cardinals, 31| style=";" | Cardinals, 21| style=";" | Cardinals
1070103318||-style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"| 2009 NLDS| style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 30| style=";" | Dodgers, 10| style=";" | Dodgers, 20| style=";" | Cardinals
1070103618||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 43| style=";" | Cardinals, 40| style=";" | Dodgers, 30| style=";" | Cardinals
1074103918||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 43| style=";" | Dodgers, 30| style=";" | Cardinals, 31| style=";" | Cardinals
1077104318| Cardinals win 2011 World Series|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 65| style=";" | Cardinals, 31| style=";" | Dodgers, 52| style=";" | Cardinals
1082104918||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 43| style=";" | Dodgers, 31| style=";" | Cardinals, 21| style=";" | Cardinals
1085105318||-style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"| 2013 NLCS| style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 42| style=";" | Cardinals, 30| style=";" | Dodgers, 21| style=";" | Cardinals
1089105518| Cardinals lose 2013 World Series|-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 43| style=";" | Cardinals, 21| style=";" | Dodgers, 31| style=";" | Cardinals
1092105918||-style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"| 2014 NLDS| style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 31| style=";" | Cardinals, 20| Tie, 11| style=";" | Cardinals
1095106018||-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 52| style=";" | Cardinals, 21| style=";" | Cardinals, 31| style=";" | Cardinals
1100106218||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 42| style=";" | Dodgers, 21| style=";" | Dodgers, 21| style=";" | Cardinals
1102106618||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 43| Tie, 22| style=";" | Dodgers, 21| style=";" | Cardinals
1105107018| Dodgers lose 2017 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 43| style=";" | Dodgers, 31| style=";" | Cardinals, 30| style=";" | Cardinals
1109107318| Dodgers lose 2018 World Series|-| | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 43| style=";" | Cardinals, 40| style=";" | Dodgers, 30| style=";" | Cardinals
1113107618||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 43| Tie, 22| style=";" | Dodgers, 21| style=";" | Cardinals
1116108018||-style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"| 2021 NLWC| style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 10| No games| style=";" | Dodgers, 10| style=";" | Cardinals
1116108118||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 42| style=";" | Dodgers, 21| style=";" | Dodgers, 21| style=";" | Cardinals
1118108518||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 43| style=";" | Cardinals, 31| style=";" | Dodgers, 30| style=";" | Cardinals
1121108918||-| | style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 52| style=";" | Dodgers, 21| style=";" | Dodgers, 31| style=";" | Cardinals
1123109418||-| St. Louis Cardinals vs Brooklyn Dodgers| style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 74471218| style=";" | Cardinals, 4203108| style=";" | Dodgers, 40232410||-| St. Louis Cardinals vs Los Angeles Dodgers| style=";" | Dodgers| style=";" | 382379| style=";" | Cardinals, 206178| style=";" | Dodgers, 204173||-| Regular season games| style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 1109108418| style=";" | Cardinals, 6154888| style=";" | Dodgers, 59649410||-| Postseason games| style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 1410| style=";" | Cardinals, 101| style=";" | Dodgers, 94||-| Postseason series| style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 42| style=";" | Cardinals, 401| style=";" | Dodgers, 402| NLWC: 2021
NLDS: 2004, 2009, 2014
NLCS: 1985, 2013|-| Overall Regular season and postseason | style=";" | Cardinals| style=";" | 1123109418| style=";" | Cardinals, 6254898| style=";" | Dodgers, 60549810|