Appearing in the NLCS for the second time in three years, it took the Reds five games (and victories in Games 4 and 5) to take care of the Pirates.

Ross Grimsley, Tom Hall and Gary Nolan each had ERAs under 2.00 while tossing six or more innings in the series for the Reds, while Steve Blass threw 15 2/3 over two starts, allowing just three earned runs for the Pirates.

Pete Rose went 9-for-20 (.450) with a run, four doubles and two RBIs in the series.

The Reds scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 5 to take the series. Johnny Bench tied the score at 3-3 with a homer off Bucs closer Dave Giusti, and George Foster raced home with the winning run on a wild pitch by Pittsburgh's Bob Moose in what was Pirates legend Roberto Clemente's final career game.

Path to the NLCS: The Pirates (96-59) won the NL East by 11 games. The Reds (95-59) won the NL West by 10 1/2 games.

Managers: Sparky Anderson, CIN; Bill Virdon, PIT