Due to a mid-season players' strike, the season was divided into a first half and a second half. The division winner of each half played each other in a five-game divisional series. The Cincinnati Reds, despite having the best overall record during the season, finished 2nd in both halves, so did not qualify for the post-season.
LDS
LCS
World Series
NYY 3
MIL 2
OAK 3
KC 0
LAD 3
HOU 2
PHI 2
MTL 3
OAK 0
NYY 3
MTL 2
LAD 3
LAD 4
NYY 2
Houston Astros - 1981 MLB Playoffs Logo
Champ
LAD
1981 MLB Champion Los Angeles Dodgers
z: best record, c: conference winner, y: division winner, w: wildcard, x: clinched playoff spot

NLDS

Best of 5-game series
Date    OpponentResultScoreSeries
10/6vs LA DodgersW  3-1 1-0
10/7vs LA DodgersW  1-0
11
2-0
10/9at LA DodgersL  1-6 2-1
10/10at LA DodgersL  1-2 2-2
10/11at LA DodgersL  0-4 2-3