In the NLCS for the second consecutive season, the Pirates overcame a Game 1 loss to take the best-of-five series in four games. The Giants, who made it into the playoffs after leading the West by just one game for the remaining five days of the season, were outscored, 24-15 in the series.

An eighth-inning run in Game 3 and four sixth-inning runs in Game 4 sealed it for the Pirates, who got a series-high eight hits from Dave Cash. Bob Robertson also hit four homers and drove in six. Bob Johnson threw eight strong innings for the Pirates, allowing just one unearned run in the Game 3 win.

Willie McCovey drove in six for the Giants. Juan Marichal was the tough-luck loser in Game 3, allowing two runs on four hits.

Path to the NLCS: The Giants (90-72) won the NL West by one game. The Pirates (97-65) won the NL East by seven games.?

Managers: Sparky Anderson, CIN; Charlie Fox, SF