Due to the fact the Marlins had been inside the very same department as the Braves, which published the NL suitable historical past back again, Jack McKeon NL Wild Card winners opened the postseason at San Francisco from the preserving NL champions.It supposed struggling with a Barry Bonds-led club that was objective upon having earlier mentioned the hump, after the Giants decline in direction of the Angels within 7 video games at the 2002 World-wide Collection.McKeon made the decision specifically absent that other gamers moreover Bonds would consist of toward battle the Marlins. The 18th-12 months outfielder, upon his path in direction of a 6th of 7 NL MVP Awards, would be 2-for-9 within just this sequence with 8 foundation upon balls. Specially, San Francisco strike no residence operates inside this collection.Jason Schmidt opened the collection through throwing a 3-strike shutout at Pac Bell Park. He received a pitcher duel with Josh Beckett, who would transfer upon towards be the star pitcher of the postseason.The Giants blew a 4-1 direct and missing Video game 2, 9-5, and the collection moved in direction of Miami. Ivan Rodriguez drove in just every function within just a 4-3 Marlins victory, and that incorporated a 2-operate homer inside the to start with and then the 2-work stroll-off one inside the 11th immediately after San Francisco experienced taken a guide within just the best of the inning.Pudge remained the principal focal stage within this sequence. In just Match 4, with the Marlins up, 7-6, and J.T. Snow upon moment with 2 out, Jeffrey Hammonds singled in direction of still left. Jeff Conine shorter-hopped the ball, fired a one particular-hopper toward the plate, and Rodriguez took the finish pressure of a bruising collision with Snow. Rodriguez did 2 backward somersaults and then drive the ball upward, displaying he experienced retained upon.Bonds Marlins Tee, who was within the gap each time Hammonds strike, experienced performed his 48th and very last postseason video game. His ultimate formal plate visual appeal was an intentional stroll.The Marlins, who experienced gained a World wide Collection inside 1997 as the NL Wild Card, experienced a prospect in direction of do it all over again. By now they precisely experienced in the direction of battle the Cubs, who would contain property-sector ease and amazing pitching.Route towards the NLDS: Florida gained the NL Wild Card; San Francisco gained the NL West through 15 1/2 game titles Professionals: Jack McKeon, FLA; Felipe Alou, SF