1981 Philadelphia Phillies season

The 1981 Philadelphia Phillies season was the 99th season in the history of the franchise, and the 11th season for the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium.

Offseason

• November 25, 1980: Rick Schu was signed as an amateur free agent by the Phillies.
• December 8, 1980: George Bell was drafted from the Phillies by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
• December 22, 1980: Del Unser was signed as a free agent by the Phillies.
• March 1, 1981: Randy Lerch was traded by the Phillies to the Milwaukee Brewers for Dick Davis.
• March 25, 1981: Bob Walk was traded by the Phillies to the Atlanta Braves for Gary Matthews.

Regular season

• April 29, 1981: Phillies pitcher Steve Carlton struck out Tim Wallach of the Montreal Expos for the 3000th strikeout of his career.
• August 10, 1981: First baseman Pete Rose records his 3,631st hit of his career, passing Stan Musial to become the all-time hit leader in the National League.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Notable transactions

• June 8, 1981: Vince Coleman was drafted by the Phillies in the 20th round of the 1981 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign.
• July 12, 1981: Mike LaValliere was signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent.

1981 Game Log

|- style="background:#fbb" | 1 || April 8 || @ Reds || 2–3 || Tom Hume (1–0) || Sparky Lyle (0–1) || None || 51,716 || 0–1 |- style="background:#bfb" | 2 || April 11 || @ Cardinals || 5–2 || Dick Ruthven (1–0) || Bob Forsch (0–1) || None || 38,473 || 1–1 |- style="background:#fbb" | 3 || April 12 || @ Cardinals || 3–7 || Lary Sorensen (1–0) || Larry Christenson (0–1) || Bruce Sutter (1) || 21,462 || 1–2 |- style="background:#bfb" | 4 || April 13 || Pirates || 5–1 || Steve Carlton (1–0) || John Candelaria (0–1) || None || 60,404 || 2–2 |- style="background:#bfb" | 5 || April 15 || Pirates || 4–3 <small>(11)</small> || Tug McGraw (1–0) || Enrique Romo (0–1) || None || 27,450 || 3–2 |- style="background:#bfb" | 6 || April 16 || Pirates || 5–3 || Dick Ruthven (2–0) || Don Robinson (0–1) || Tug McGraw (1) || 26,780 || 4–2 |- style="background:#bfb" | 7 || April 17 || Cubs || 6–2 || Larry Christenson (1–1) || Ken Kravec (0–1) || None || 21,948 || 5–2 |- style="background:#bfb" | 8 || April 18 || Cubs || 4–3 <small>(10)</small> || Steve Carlton (2–0) || Lee Smith (0–1) || None || 27,780 || 6–2 |- style="background:#bfb" | 9 || April 19 || Cubs || 7–3 || Nino Espinosa (1–0) || Rick Reuschel (0–2) || None || 30,204 || 7–2 |- style="background:#fbb" | 10 || April 20 || @ Expos || 8–9 || Steve Rogers (1–0) || Tug McGraw (1–1) || Woodie Fryman (2) || 24,817 || 7–3 |- style="background:#fbb" | 11 || April 21 || @ Expos || 3–10 || Scott Sanderson (2–0) || Dick Ruthven (2–1) || None || 10,887 || 7–4 |- style="background:#fbb" | 12 || April 22 || @ Expos || 3–4 <small>(11)</small> || Elías Sosa (1–0) || Tug McGraw (1–2) || None || 14,176 || 7–5 |- style="background:#bfb" | 13 || April 24 || @ Cubs || 6–4 || Steve Carlton (3–0) || Rick Reuschel (0–3) || Ron Reed (1) || 6,274 || 8–5 |- style="background:#bfb" | 14 || April 25 || @ Cubs || 7–5 || Sparky Lyle (1–1) || Dick Tidrow (1–2) || None || 10,990 || 9–5 |- style="background:#bfb" | 15 || April 26 || @ Cubs || 6–2 || Marty Bystrom (1–0) || Bill Caudill (0–1) || None || 10,093 || 10–5 |- style="background:#bfb" | 16 || April 27 || Expos || 3–1 || Dick Ruthven (3–1) || Bill Gullickson (1–1) || None || 27,347 || 11–5 |- style="background:#fbb" | 17 || April 28 || Expos || 3–6 || Steve Ratzer (1–0) || Larry Christenson (1–2) || Elías Sosa (1) || 26,192 || 11–6 |- style="background:#bfb" | 18 || April 29 || Expos || 6–2 || Steve Carlton (4–0) || Steve Rogers (2–1) || None || 30,142 || 12–6 |-

|- style="background:#bbb" | – || May 1 || Giants || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); <small>Makeup: May 2 as a traditional double-header</small> |- style="background:#fbb" | 19 || May 2 <small>(1)</small> || Giants || 2–6 || Doyle Alexander (4–1) || Nino Espinosa (1–1) || Greg Minton (4) || <small>see 2nd game</small> || 12–7 |- style="background:#bfb" | 20 || May 2 <small>(2)</small> || Giants || 3–1 || Marty Bystrom (2–0) || Ed Whitson (0–3) || None || 27,376 || 13–7 |- style="background:#bfb" | 21 || May 3 || Giants || 7–5 || Dick Ruthven (4–1) || Gary Lavelle (0–2) || Tug McGraw (2) || 41,283 || 14–7 |- style="background:#bfb" | 22 || May 4 || Giants || 6–4 || Steve Carlton (5–0) || Allen Ripley (1–3) || None || 25,492 || 15–7 |- style="background:#bfb" | 23 || May 5 || Dodgers || 8–7 || Sparky Lyle (2–1) || Bobby Castillo (0–3) || None || 27,241 || 16–7 |- style="background:#fbb" | 24 || May 6 || Dodgers || 1–2 || Burt Hooton (4–0) || Nino Espinosa (1–2) || None || 25,850 || 16–8 |- style="background:#fbb" | 25 || May 7 || Dodgers || 1–2 || Jerry Reuss (3–1) || Marty Bystrom (2–1) || None || 29,259 || 16–9 |- style="background:#bfb" | 26 || May 8 || Padres || 11–7 || Sparky Lyle (3–1) || Gary Lucas (2–3) || None || 30,830 || 17–9 |- style="background:#bfb" | 27 || May 9 || Padres || 9–6 || Steve Carlton (6–0) || Tim Lollar (1–3) || None || 30,907 || 18–9 |- style="background:#fbb" | 28 || May 10 || Padres || 4–8 || Steve Mura (1–4) || Larry Christenson (1–3) || Gary Lucas (5) || 40,447 || 18–10 |- style="background:#fbb" | 29 || May 12 || @ Giants || 0–4 || Doyle Alexander (5–2) || Nino Espinosa (1–3) || None || 10,307 || 18–11 |- style="background:#fbb" | 30 || May 13 || @ Giants || 2–5 || Allen Ripley (3–3) || Marty Bystrom (2–2) || Greg Minton (6) || 6,946 || 18–12 |- style="background:#bfb" | 31 || May 14 || @ Giants || 3–1 || Dick Ruthven (5–1) || Vida Blue (3–3) || Tug McGraw (3) || 6,561 || 19–12 |- style="background:#bfb" | 32 || May 15 || @ Padres || 2–1 || Steve Carlton (7–0) || Steve Mura (1–5) || None || 15,939 || 20–12 |- style="background:#fbb" | 33 || May 16 || @ Padres || 1–2 || John Littlefield (1–2) || Tug McGraw (1–3) || None || 40,656 || 20–13 |- style="background:#bfb" | 34 || May 17 || @ Padres || 6–3 || Nino Espinosa (2–3) || Juan Eichelberger (3–2) || None || 18,330 || 21–13 |- style="background:#bfb" | 35 || May 18 || @ Dodgers || 4–0 || Marty Bystrom (3–2) || Fernando Valenzuela (8–1) || None || 52,439 || 22–13 |- style="background:#bfb" | 36 || May 19 || @ Dodgers || 3–2 || Dick Ruthven (6–1) || Bob Welch (2–2) || None || 43,812 || 23–13 |- style="background:#fbb" | 37 || May 20 || @ Dodgers || 2–3 <small>(10)</small> || Steve Howe (4–1) || Tug McGraw (1–4) || None || 50,917 || 23–14 |- style="background:#fbb" | 38 || May 22 || @ Pirates || 1–3 || Pascual Pérez (1–0) || Larry Christenson (1–4) || None || 20,695 || 23–15 |- style="background:#bfb" | 39 || May 23 || @ Pirates || 6–4 || Mike Proly (1–0) || Kent Tekulve (0–3) || Ron Reed (2) || 20,340 || 24–15 |- style="background:#fbb" | 40 || May 24 || @ Pirates || 1–7 || Jim Bibby (3–2) || Marty Bystrom (3–3) || Víctor Cruz (1) || 21,771 || 24–16 |- style="background:#fbb" | 41 || May 25 || @ Mets || 3–13 || Greg A. Harris (1–0) || Dick Ruthven (6–2) || Jeff Reardon (2) || 20,469 || 24–17 |- style="background:#bfb" | 42 || May 26 || @ Mets || 7–5 || Ron Reed (1–0) || Neil Allen (3–2) || Tug McGraw (4) || 13,973 || 25–17 |- style="background:#fbb" | 43 || May 27 || @ Mets || 1–3 || Pat Zachry (5–5) || Larry Christenson (1–5) || None || 10,930 || 25–18 |- style="background:#fbb" | 44 || May 29 || Cardinals || 4–11 || Bob Forsch (5–2) || Nino Espinosa (2–4) || Mark Littell (1) || 32,358 || 25–19 |- style="background:#bfb" | 45 || May 30 || Cardinals || 10–2 || Dick Ruthven (7–2) || Lary Sorensen (4–4) || None || 35,034 || 26–19 |- style="background:#bfb" | 46 || May 31 || Cardinals || 6–1 || Steve Carlton (8–0) || Silvio Martínez (1–4) || None || 54,103 || 27–19 |-

|- style="background:#bfb" | 47 || June 1 || Mets || 5–4 || Sparky Lyle (4–1) || Neil Allen (3–3) || Tug McGraw (5) || 27,631 || 28–19 |- style="background:#bfb" | 48 || June 2 || Mets || 9–7 || Mike Proly (2–0) || Ed Lynch (1–3) || Ron Reed (3) || 25,375 || 29–19 |- style="background:#fbb" | 49 || June 3 || Mets || 2–6 || Greg A. Harris (2–1) || Dick Ruthven (7–3) || Neil Allen (5) || 27,588 || 29–20 |- style="background:#fbb" | 50 || June 5 || @ Braves || 1–4 || Rick Mahler (3–1) || Steve Carlton (8–1) || Rick Camp (8) || 17,059 || 29–21 |- style="background:#bfb" | 51 || June 6 || @ Braves || 3–0 || Larry Christenson (2–5) || Tommy Boggs (1–9) || Mike Proly (1) || 15,291 || 30–21 |- style="background:#bfb" | 52 || June 7 || @ Braves || 7–5 || Sparky Lyle (5–1) || Gaylord Perry (5–4) || Ron Reed (4) || 23,482 || 31–21 |- style="background:#bfb" | 53 || June 8 || Astros || 4–3 || Dick Ruthven (8–3) || Don Sutton (4–6) || Tug McGraw (6) || 31,664 || 32–21 |- style="background:#bfb" | 54 || June 9 || Astros || 10–3 || Marty Bystrom (4–3) || Joe Niekro (6–5) || Ron Reed (5) || 33,978 || 33–21 |- style="background:#bfb" | 55 || June 10 || Astros || 5–4 || Steve Carlton (9–1) || Frank LaCorte (3–2) || Tug McGraw (7) || 57,386 || 34–21 |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 12 || Braves || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 13 || Braves || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 14 || Braves || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 15 || Reds || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 16 || Reds || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 17 || @ Astros || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 18 || @ Astros || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 19 || @ Reds || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 20 || @ Reds || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 21 || @ Reds || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 23 || @ Cubs || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 24 || @ Cubs || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 25 || @ Cubs || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 26 || Pirates || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 27 || Pirates || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 28 || Pirates || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 29 || @ Cardinals || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 30 <small>(1)</small> || @ Cardinals || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 30 <small>(2)</small> || @ Cardinals || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |-

|- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 1 || @ Cardinals || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 2 || @ Cardinals || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 3 || Expos || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 4 || Expos || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 5 || Expos || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 7 || @ Pirates || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 8 || @ Pirates || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 9 || @ Pirates || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 10 || Mets || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 11 <small>(1)</small> || Mets || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 11 <small>(2)</small> || Mets || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 12 || Mets || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 14 || colspan=7 | 1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland <small>Cancelled (players' strike), then postponed to August 9</small> |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 16 || Giants || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 17 || Giants || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 18 || Dodgers || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 19 || Dodgers || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 20 || Dodgers || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 21 || Padres || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 22 || Padres || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 23 || Padres || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 24 || @ Giants || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 25 || @ Giants || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 26 || @ Giants || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 27 || @ Padres || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 28 || @ Padres || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 29 || @ Padres || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 31 || @ Dodgers || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |-

|- style="background:#bbb" | – || August 1 || @ Dodgers || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || August 2 || @ Dodgers || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || August 4 || Cubs || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || August 5 || Cubs || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || August 6 || Cubs || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || August 7 || @ Expos || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || August 8 || @ Expos || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || August 9 <small>(1)</small> || @ Expos || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbb" | – || August 9 <small>(2)</small> || @ Expos || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike |- style="background:#bbcaff;" | – || August 9 ||colspan="7" | 1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland |- style="background:#fbb" | 56 || August 10 || Cardinals || 3–7 || Bob Forsch (7–2) || Larry Christenson (2–6) || Bruce Sutter (12) || 60,561 || 0–1<br>(34–22) |- style="background:#bfb" | 57 || August 11 || Cardinals || 6–5 <small>(10)</small> || Ron Reed (2–0) || Jim Kaat (3–2) || None || 24,549 || 1–1<br>(35–22) |- style="background:#fbb" | 58 || August 12 || Cardinals || 3–11 || Bob Sykes (1–0) || Dick Ruthven (8–4) || Mark Littell (2) || 23,566 || 1–2<br>(35–23) |- style="background:#fbb" | 59 || August 13 || Cardinals || 2–5 || John Martin (4–1) || Steve Carlton (9–2) || Bruce Sutter (13) || 26,783 || 1–3<br>(35–24) |- style="background:#bfb" | 60 || August 14 || @ Mets || 8–4 || Larry Christenson (3–6) || Mike Scott (3–5) || Mike Proly (2) || 34,136 || 2–3<br>(36–24) |- style="background:#fbb" | 61 || August 15 || @ Mets || 1–3 || Pete Falcone (2–3) || Nino Espinosa (2–5) || Neil Allen (8) || 14,309 || 2–4<br>(36–25) |- style="background:#fbb" | 62 || August 16 || @ Mets || 2–5 || Pat Zachry (6–7) || Dick Ruthven (8–5) || Neil Allen (9) || 21,635 || 2–5<br>(36–26) |- style="background:#fbb" | 63 || August 18 || @ Reds || 1–3 || Tom Seaver (8–2) || Steve Carlton (9–3) || Tom Hume (8) || 25,363 || 2–6<br>(36–27) |- style="background:#fbb" | 64 || August 19 || @ Reds || 3–6 || Tom Hume (6–2) || Sparky Lyle (5–2) || None || 23,133 || 2–7<br>(36–28) |- style="background:#bfb" | 65 || August 21 || Astros || 5–4 || Sparky Lyle (6–2) || Vern Ruhle (1–3) || Tug McGraw (8) || 31,693 || 3–7<br>(37–28) |- style="background:#bfb" | 66 || August 22 || Astros || 8–4 || Dick Ruthven (9–5) || Joe Niekro (7–7) || None || 35,199 || 4–7<br>(38–28) |- style="background:#bfb" | 67 || August 23 || Astros || 6–0 || Steve Carlton (10–3) || Bob Knepper (6–3) || None || 30,630 || 5–7<br>(39–28) |- style="background:#bfb" | 68 || August 24 || Braves || 7–5 <small>(13)</small> || Tug McGraw (2–4) || Al Hrabosky (0–1) || None || 23,383 || 6–7<br>(40–28) |- style="background:#fbb" | 69 || August 25 || Braves || 2–12 || Phil Niekro (6–4) || Mark Davis (0–1) || None || 33,383 || 6–8<br>(40–29) |- style="background:#fbb" | 70 || August 26 || Braves || 3–5 <small>(10)</small> || Rick Camp (7–1) || Ron Reed (2–1) || None || 28,283 || 6–9<br>(40–30) |- style="background:#fbb" | 71 || August 28 || @ Astros || 2–3 <small>(10)</small> || Dave Smith (2–3) || Sparky Lyle (6–3) || None || 29,482 || 6–10<br>(40–31) |- style="background:#fbb" | 72 || August 29 <small>(1)</small> || @ Astros || 1–6 || Vern Ruhle (2–3) || Mark Davis (0–2) || None || <small>see 2nd game</small> || 6–11<br>(40–32) |- style="background:#fbb" | 73 || August 29 <small>(2)</small> || @ Astros || 1–2 || Billy Smith (1–0) || Dickie Noles (0–1) || Frank LaCorte (4) || 33,327 || 6–12<br>(40–33) |- style="background:#fbb" | 74 || August 30 || @ Astros || 4–5 <small>(10)</small> || Dave Smith (3–3) || Sparky Lyle (6–4) || None || 23,102 || 6–13<br>(40–34) |- style="background:#bfb" | 75 || August 31 || @ Braves || 11–8 || Dick Ruthven (10–5) || Gaylord Perry (6–5) || Ron Reed (6) || 8,207 || 7–13<br>(41–34) |-

|- style="background:#bfb" | 76 || September 1 || @ Braves || 3–0 || Steve Carlton (11–3) || Rick Mahler (4–5) || None || 3,374 || 8–13<br>(42–34) |- style="background:#fbb" | 77 || September 2 || @ Braves || 2–3 || Gene Garber (4–3) || Warren Brusstar (0–1) || None || 6,232 || 8–14<br>(42–35) |- style="background:#fbb" | 78 || September 3 || Reds || 3–9 || Bruce Berenyi (7–4) || Mark Davis (0–3) || None || 26,540 || 8–15<br>(42–36) |- style="background:#bfb" | 79 || September 4 || Reds || 7–6 || Sparky Lyle (7–4) || Doug Bair (2–2) || Tug McGraw (9) || 25,020 || 9–15<br>(43–36) |- style="background:#bfb" | 80 || September 5 || Reds || 5–4 || Ron Reed (3–1) || Mario Soto (8–8) || None || 41,845 || 10–15<br>(44–36) |- style="background:#fbb" | 81 || September 6 || Reds || 4–5 || Tom Hume (7–3) || Sparky Lyle (7–5) || Joe Price (2) || 30,366 || 10–16<br>(44–37) |- style="background:#fbb" | 82 || September 7 || Expos || 4–5 || Woodie Fryman (5–2) || Mike Proly (2–1) || Jeff Reardon (5) || 31,401 || 10–17<br>(44–38) |- style="background:#bfb" | 83 || September 8 || Expos || 10–5 || Dan Larson (1–0) || Scott Sanderson (7–6) || None || 11,812 || 11–17<br>(45–38) |- style="background:#bfb" | 84 || September 9 || Expos || 11–8 || Ron Reed (4–1) || Woodie Fryman (5–3) || Sparky Lyle (1) || 25,468 || 12–17<br>(46–38) |- style="background:#bfb" | 85 || September 11 || @ Pirates || 8–0 || Steve Carlton (12–3) || Rick Rhoden (8–3) || None || 12,799 || 13–17<br>(47–38) |- style="background:#fbb" | 86 || September 12 || @ Pirates || 2–6 || Eddie Solomon (7–4) || Dickie Noles (0–2) || Rod Scurry (5) || 11,370 || 13–18<br>(47–39) |- style="background:#fbb" | 87 || September 13 || @ Pirates || 2–3 || Odell Jones (4–2) || Ron Reed (4–2) || Kent Tekulve () || 16,493 || 13–19<br>(47–40) |- style="background:#bbb" | – || September 15 || @ Mets || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); <small>Makeup: September 16 as a traditional double-header</small> |- style="background:#bfb" | 88 || September 16 <small>(1)</small> || @ Mets || 3–1 || Dick Ruthven (11–5) || Pat Zachry (7–12) || None || <small>see 2nd game</small> || 14–19<br>(48–40) |- style="background:#fbb" | 89 || September 16 <small>(2)</small> || @ Mets || 4–5 || Mike Marshall (3–2) || Steve Carlton (12–4) || Neil Allen (17) || 4,353 || 14–20<br>(48–41) |- style="background:#bfb" | 90 || September 17 || @ Mets || 3–2 || Dickie Noles (1–2) || Mike Scott (4–9) || Ron Reed (7) || 5,501 || 15–20<br>(49–41) |- style="background:#fbb" | 91 || September 18 || Pirates || 6–7 || Rod Scurry (4–5) || Ron Reed (4–3) || Mark Lee (2) || 24,537 || 15–21<br>(49–42) |- style="background:#bfb" | 92 || September 19 || Pirates || 8–2 || Dan Larson (2–0) || Odell Jones (4–3) || Larry Christenson (1) || 30,446 || 16–21<br>(50–42) |- style="background:#bfb" | 93 || September 20 || Pirates || 5–4 || Sparky Lyle (8–5) || Eddie Solomon (7–5) || None || 31,489 || 17–21<br>(51–42) |- style="background:#fbb" | 94 || September 21 || @ Expos || 0–1 <small>(17)</small> || Bryn Smith (1–0) || Jerry Reed (0–1) || None || 24,161 || 17–22<br>(51–43) |- style="background:#fbb" | 95 || September 22 || @ Expos || 2–6 || Steve Rogers (11–7) || Dick Ruthven (11–6) || None || 21,797 || 17–23<br>(51–44) |- style="background:#bfb" | 96 || September 23 || @ Cardinals || 9–4 || Dickie Noles (2–2) || John Martin (6–5) || Sparky Lyle (2) || 16,845 || 18–23<br>(52–44) |- style="background:#bfb" | 97 || September 24 || @ Cardinals || 14–6 || Mark Davis (1–3) || Lary Sorensen (7–7) || None || 11,758 || 19–23<br>(53–44) |- style="background:#bfb" | 98 || September 25 || @ Cubs || 9–2 || Dan Larson (3–0) || Ken Kravec (1–6) || None || 4,482 || 20–23<br>(54–44) |- style="background:#bbb" | – || September 26 || @ Cubs || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); <small>Makeup: September 27 as a traditional double-header</small> |- style="background:#bfb" | 99 || September 27 <small>(1)</small> || @ Cubs || 5–2 || Steve Carlton (13–4) || Doug Bird (9–6) || None || <small>see 2nd game</small> || 21–23<br>(55–44) |- style="background:#fbb" | 100 || September 27 <small>(2)</small> || @ Cubs || 0–14 || Mike Krukow (9–9) || Dick Ruthven (11–7) || None || 18,783 || 21–24<br>(55–45) |- style="background:#bfb" | 101 || September 28 || Mets || 12–4 || Larry Christenson (4–6) || Ed Lynch (4–5) || None || 20,403 || 22–24<br>(56–45) |- style="background:#fbb" | 102 || September 29 || Mets || 0–7 || Pete Falcone (4–3) || Mark Davis (1–4) || None || 20,110 || 22–25<br>(56–46) |- style="background:#bfb" | 103 || September 30 || Cardinals || 8–5 || Sparky Lyle (9–5) || Luis DeLeón (0–1) || Ron Reed (8) || 21,382 || 23–25<br>(57–46) |-

|- style="background:#fbb" | 104 || October 1 || Cardinals || 2–3 <small>(10)</small> || Doug Bair (4–2) || Larry Christenson (4–7) || None || 20,482 || 23–26<br>(57–47) |- style="background:#bfb" | 105 || October 2 || Cubs || 9–7 || Ron Reed (5–3) || Dick Tidrow (3–10) || None || 20,453 || 24–26<br>(58–47) |- style="background:#fbb" | 106 || October 3 || Cubs || 4–8 || Jay Howell (2–0) || Sparky Lyle (9–6) || Randy Martz (6) || 35,169 || 24–27<br>(58–48) |- style="background:#bfb" | 107 || October 4 || Cubs || 2–1 || Dick Ruthven (12–7) || Lee Smith (3–6) || Tug McGraw (10) || 21,912 || 25–27<br>(59–48) |-

Roster

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

1981 National League Division Series

Montreal Expos vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Montreal wins series, 3–2.

1981 Postseason Game Log

|- style="background:#fbb" | 1 || October 7 || @ Expos || 1–3 || Steve Rogers (1–0) || Steve Carlton (0–1) || Jeff Reardon (1) || 34,237 || 0–1 |- style="background:#fbb" | 2 || October 8 || @ Expos || 1–3 || Bill Gullickson (1–0) || Dick Ruthven (0–1) || Jeff Reardon (2) || 45,896 || 0–2 |- style="background:#bfb" | 3 || October 9 || Expos || 6–2 || Larry Christenson (1–0) || Ray Burris (0–1) || None || 36,835 || 1–2 |- style="background:#bfb" | 4 || October 10 || Expos || 6–5 <small>(10)</small> || Tug McGraw (1–0) || Jeff Reardon (0–1) || None || 38,818 || 2–2 |- style="background:#fbb" | 5 || October 11 || Expos || 0–3 || Steve Rogers (2–0) || Steve Carlton (0–2) || None || 47,384 || 2–3 |-

Farm system

Notes

References

• 1981 Philadelphia Phillies season at Baseball Reference