The past six seasons have brought us an NLCS in which we saw the Phillies play three consecutive years ('08, '09, '10), and the Cardinals play three consecutive years ('11, '12, '13). It also showed us in their opponents the Dodgers play three times ('08, '09, '13) and the Giants twice ('10, '12).
A curious theme has emerged. The Giants and Dodgers have had common opponents in their five appearances, with the Phils playing the Dodgers in '08 and '09, then the Giants jumping in to play them in '10. Likewise, the Cards played the Giants in '12 and Dodgers following in '13. The Dodgers have lost all three series. The Giants, on the other hand, have not only won both of their NLCS, they have gone on to win the World Series in each of those years. And in the last six years, only the Giants of all the MLB teams have won two championships.
It's gotta be frustrating for the boys in blue to see their rivals beat the teams they lose to and bring home a trophy. I was in attendance for the last WS game the Dodgers played in Oakland in 1988. It really was a long time ago. Hopefully this theme can continue, or something similar.
