The 2010 National League Division Series (NLDS) were two best-of-five-game series to determine the participating teams in the 2010 National League Championship Series. The three divisional winners and a fourth team—a "Wild Card"—played in two series from October 6 to 11. TBS televised all games in the United States.
Under MLB's playoff format, no two teams from the same division were matched up in the Division Series, regardless of whether their records would normally indicate such a matchup. Home field advantage went to the team with the better regular-season record with the exception of the wild card team, which defers home field advantage regardless of record. The matchups were: (1) Philadelphia Phillies (Eastern Division champions, 97–65) vs. (3) Cincinnati Reds (Central Division champions, 91–71): Phillies win series, 3–0. (2) San Francisco Giants (West Division champions, 92–70) vs. (4) Atlanta Braves (Wild Card qualifier, 91–71): Giants win series, 3–1.
The Phillies and Reds had met in the postseason once before: in the 1976 NLCS, which the Reds won 3–0. The Giants and Braves also had one prior postseason series—the 2002 NLDS—which the Giants won 3–2.
The Giants would go on to defeat the Phillies in the NLCS, then win the 2010 World Series by defeating the American League champion Texas Rangers, winning their first World title since 1954.
Matchups
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Cincinnati Reds
†: No-hitter by Roy Halladay
San Francisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves
Philadelphia vs. Cincinnati
Game 1
In his first career postseason start, Phillies ace Roy Halladay hurled a no-hitter, giving up only one walk (to Jay Bruce in the fifth inning). Halladay's was only the second postseason no-hitter in Major League Baseball history, and the first since Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series. He threw only 104 pitches.
During the 2010 regular season, Halladay had thrown a perfect game on the road against the Florida Marlins on May 29. He thus became the first and only pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the regular season and a no-hitter in the postseason in the same year. Halladay is also the fifth major league pitcher to throw two no-hitters in the same year, and the first since Nolan Ryan in 1973.
The Phillies' offense got started early when Shane Victorino sliced a double down the left field line in the first inning. After stealing third base, Chase Utley brought him home with a sacrifice fly. Victorino went 2-for-4 in the game and also had two RBIs on a single in the second inning that scored Wilson Valdez and Halladay. Halladay had reached earlier in the inning on an RBI single of his own, helping his own cause and becoming the first pitcher in major league history to outhit the opposing team in a postseason game.
Cincinnati starter Edinson Vólquez lasted only innings before Travis Wood was called upon in relief by manager Dusty Baker. Volquez gave up four hits, four runs (all earned), and two walks. He faced 11 batters, retiring only five.
This would be the last postseason no–hitter until the Astros' combined no-hitter in the 2022 World Series, which also took place at Citizens Bank Park.
Game 2
On the fourth pitch he saw, Brandon Phillips hit a home run to lead off the first inning. This was both the first hit and first run since 1995 for the Reds in the postseason. Laynce Nix scored another run in the top of the second inning on two throwing errors and a wild pitch.
Jay Bruce hit a lead-off homer in the fourth inning to increase the lead to 3–0. In the top of the fifth inning, Phillips hit a lead-off double, advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt, then scored on Joey Votto's sacrifice fly.
The Phillies mounted their attack in the bottom of the fifth inning. Pinch-hitter Domonic Brown reached first base on a fielder's choice, then the Phillies loaded the bases on two consecutive defensive errors. Chase Utley delivered a two-out RBI single to get the Phillies on board, but Arroyo struck out Ryan Howard to limit the damage at two.
The Phillies scored again in the sixth inning. Jayson Werth walked, stole second, then scored after two batters were hit by pitches and a bases-loaded walk by Reds relievers Arthur Rhodes and Logan Ondrusek.