2015 NLDS Game 5 vs Cardinals
Dexter Fowler’s leadoff walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning finally broke a decades-long postseason jinx at Wrigley Field.
The 2015 National League Division Series Game 5 stands as a defining chapter in Chicago Cubs history. Played at Wrigley Field on October 10, 2015, this elimination showdown featured the Cubs against their bitter rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals. The victory did more than secure a win; it propelled the franchise into the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2003.
- Date
- October 10, 2015
- Location
- Wrigley Field, Chicago
- Final Score
- Cubs 6, Cardinals 4 (10 innings)
- Deciding Play
- Dexter Fowler walk-off home run
- Series Outcome
- Cubs win NLDS 3-2
- Significance
- First playoff series victory since 1945
Lore & Background
The tension peaked in the bottom of the tenth. With the score tied, Dexter Fowler stepped into the box against the Cardinals' closer. He didn't wait for a mistake; he launched a leadoff home run over the left-field wall. The roar that followed wasn't just celebration—it was the sound of a franchise exhaling after 71 years of waiting for a moment like this at home.
In Their Own Story
October air chilled the bleachers, but the energy inside Wrigley burned hot. As Fowler tightened his grip on the bat, the stadium held its breath. The crack of the bat cut through the noise, and when the ball cleared the fence, the collective release of tension shook the stands. It was a singular moment where history dissolved into pure joy for the North Side.
Reader's Guide
Manager Joe Maddon’s roster construction proved vital, blending youth like Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo with veteran grit from David Ross and John Lackey. This win validated the core’s potential while honoring the depth that survived the series grind, cementing the game as a turning point in lifting the franchise's postseason curse.
Did You Know?
- Dexter Fowler hit the first walk-off home run in Cubs postseason history.
- The win advanced the Cubs to the NL Championship Series for the first time since 2003.
- Attendance at Wrigley Field was sold out, with over 41,000 fans witnessing the historic moment.
- This victory marked the franchise's first elimination game win at home since 1908.