October baseball often turns certainty into chaos. Teams have erased huge deficits, survived elimination, and flipped entire series when pressure peaked.
These moments define MLB postseason history. They leave a lasting mark on baseball history.
From single-game rallies to series-changing swings, these wins show how fast momentum can shift in the postseason. Clutch hitting, pitching, and decisive leadership often fuel these victories.
This article highlights iconic one-game turnarounds and dramatic series reversals. It also covers walk-off finishes, modern playoff classics, and the players and managers whose decisions changed outcomes when every pitch mattered.
Most Iconic Single-Game Comebacks
Several playoff games stand out in MLB playoff history because one inning changed everything. These examples show how timing, key hitters, and pressure moments shaped outcomes that still matter today.
| Game | Deficit | Final Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1929 World Series, Game 4 | Down 8–0 | Athletics win 10–8 |
| 2022 AL Wild Card | Down 8–1 | Mariners win 10–9 |
| 1996 World Series, Game 4 | Down 6–0 | Yankees win 8–6 |
| 2008 ALCS, Game 5 | Down 7–0 | Red Sox win 8–7 |
1929 Philadelphia Athletics vs. Chicago Cubs – Ten-Run Rally
The 1929 World Series delivered one of the most famous rallies ever. In Game 4, the Philadelphia Athletics trailed the Cubs 8–0 in the seventh inning.
Chicago looked in control. The game flipped fast.
Philadelphia sent 15 batters to the plate in a single inning. Al Simmons drove in key runs, and Jimmie Foxx delivered a game-tying hit that silenced the Cubs.
The A’s scored ten runs and never gave the lead back. Manager Connie Mack trusted his hitters to stay aggressive.
The Athletics won 10–8 and took full control of the series. This game still stands as the largest postseason comeback win by run deficit.
2022 Seattle Mariners Overcome Blue Jays Deficit
The 2022 American League Wild Card Series produced a modern classic. The Seattle Mariners fell behind Toronto 8–1 early, with the Blue Jays controlling most of the game.
Seattle chipped away with steady offense instead of one big inning. The Mariners scored in five different frames, using extra-base hits and patient at-bats.
Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez played key roles during the rally. In the ninth inning, Seattle completed the comeback to win 10–9 on the road.
It marked one of the largest deficits ever erased in a playoff game. The win ended Seattle’s long playoff drought in dramatic fashion.
1996 Yankees Turn the World Series Tide Against Braves
Game 4 of the 1996 World Series changed the direction of the series. The New York Yankees trailed the Atlanta Braves 6–0 after five innings at Yankee Stadium.
New York answered with three runs in the sixth inning. The momentum fully shifted in the eighth when Jim Leyritz hit a game-tying home run off Mark Wohlers.
The crowd erupted. The Yankees won 8–6 in extra innings.
This rally tied the series and broke Atlanta’s control. It remains one of the most important games from the Yankees’ championship run.
2008 Red Sox Erase Seven-Run Deficit vs. Rays
The 2008 ALCS featured a critical swing in Game 5 at Fenway Park. The Boston Red Sox trailed the Tampa Bay Rays 7–0 in the seventh inning and faced elimination.
Boston scored four runs in the seventh and three more in the eighth to tie the game. The comeback relied on sustained pressure rather than one swing.
Plate discipline and timely hits forced Tampa Bay mistakes. In the ninth inning, J.D. Drew ended the game with a walk-off single.
The Red Sox won 8–7 and stayed alive in the series. This game ranks among the most dramatic postseason comebacks.
Greatest Series Comebacks in Playoff History
A few playoff series stand out because teams erased deep deficits under extreme pressure. These moments changed seasons, ended long droughts, and reshaped MLB postseason history.
2004 Red Sox Reverse Sweep vs. Yankees
The 2004 ALCS featured the only reverse sweep in MLB playoff history. Boston lost the first three games to New York and faced elimination against a rival tied to the Curse of the Bambino.
Game 4 changed everything. Dave Roberts stole second base in the ninth inning, and Boston tied the game and won in extra innings.
The Red Sox followed with three straight wins, including a blowout in Game 7 at Yankee Stadium. Key players delivered at critical times, especially David Ortiz with multiple walk-off hits.
The series ended decades of frustration and sent Boston to a World Series title.
2016 Cubs Break the Curse in World Series
Chicago entered the 2016 World Series carrying the Curse of the Billy Goat and a 108-year title drought. The Cubs fell behind Cleveland three games to one, with momentum clearly against them.
They responded with two strong wins to force Game 7. That final game went into extra innings after a rain delay broke the tension.
Chicago scored two runs in the 10th and held on to win. The comeback ended one of the longest droughts in sports.
2012 Giants Rally from 0-2 in NLDS
San Francisco trailed 0–2 in the NLDS against Cincinnati and faced elimination on the road. The Giants needed three straight wins, all away from home, to survive.
They leaned on pitching depth and timely hitting. Buster Posey anchored the lineup, while the bullpen locked down close games.
San Francisco completed the comeback with a decisive Game 5 win. That rally set the tone for a championship run.
Legendary World Series Comebacks
Several World Series comebacks stand out because they changed the outcome of a championship and left lasting marks on baseball history. These moments often featured key players, late-game swings, and turning points that fans still debate today.
1968 Tigers Rally from 3-1 vs. Cardinals
The Detroit Tigers trailed the St. Louis Cardinals three games to one in the 1968 World Series. Detroit faced elimination, but the team responded with strong pitching and steady offense.
Mickey Lolich played a central role. He started and won Games 5 and 6, then returned on short rest to win Game 7.
Lolich allowed only four runs across those three complete games. Detroit’s hitters did just enough, scoring early runs and protecting leads.
The Tigers won the final three games and secured the title. This comeback remains one of the best examples of pitching control shaping a championship.
2011 Cardinals’ Dramatic Game 6 Win
Game 6 of the 2011 World Series ranks among the most memorable games in baseball history. The St. Louis Cardinals faced the Texas Rangers and came within one strike of losing the title—twice.
David Freese kept the Cardinals alive. He hit a two-run triple in the ninth to tie the game, then drove in another tying run in the 10th.
In the 11th inning, Freese ended the night with a walk-off home run. St. Louis won Game 7 the next night.
1985 Royals Overcome Deficit with Denkinger Call
The 1985 World Series turned during Game 6 between the Kansas City Royals and Cardinals. Kansas City faced elimination late in the game and trailed by one run in the ninth inning.
A missed call at first base by umpire Don Denkinger put the tying runner on base. The Royals took advantage.
They scored multiple runs and forced a Game 7. Kansas City carried that momentum into the final game and won the championship.
Famous Walk-Off Moments in MLB Playoff Comebacks
Several playoff comebacks ended with a single swing that changed baseball history. These moments came in late innings, under pressure, and finished the game at once with a walk-off homer or hit.
Carlton Fisk’s Iconic 1975 Walk-Off Home Run
Carlton Fisk changed Game 6 of the 1975 World Series with one swing. The Red Sox and Reds battled through extra innings after trading leads all night.
In the bottom of the 12th, Fisk pulled a high fly ball toward the left-field foul pole. He waved his arms, urging it to stay fair.
The ball struck the pole for a walk-off homer, forcing a decisive Game 7. The moment became famous for the camera shot of Fisk willing the ball fair.
It remains one of the most replayed walk-off homers in MLB history.
Key details:
- Game: World Series Game 6
- Inning: Bottom of the 12th
- Result: Red Sox won 7–6
David Freese Lifts Cardinals in 2011
David Freese delivered one of the most important walk-off moments in a comeback-filled game. In Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, the Cardinals faced elimination twice.
St. Louis trailed in the ninth and again in the 10th inning. Freese first tied the game with a two-run triple.
In the 11th, he hit a walk-off homer to center field. This swing completed a dramatic comeback and forced Game 7.
The Cardinals later won the series.
Mazeroski’s 1960 World Series Clincher
Bill Mazeroski ended the 1960 World Series with a moment that still stands alone. The Pirates and Yankees entered Game 7 tied, with New York rallying late to take the lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, Mazeroski led off and hit a walk-off homer over the left-field wall. The hit instantly won both the game and the championship.
Important facts:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | 1960 World Series |
| Game | Game 7 |
| First | Only walk-off homer to end a World Series |
Mazeroski’s swing remains the only walk-off home run to decide a World Series.
Noteworthy Recent Comebacks and Modern Classics
Several recent games stand out in MLB playoff history for clear turning points, late swings, and moments that changed series paths. These examples show how timing, decision-making, and execution shaped results under pressure.
2025 Yankees Elimination Game Rally
The Yankees faced elimination in Game 3 of the ALDS after falling behind 6–1 against Toronto. They responded with eight unanswered runs at Yankee Stadium to win 9–6.
Aaron Judge hit a game-tying three-run homer in the fourth inning. Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed with the go-ahead home run.
The rally marked a rare case where a team avoided a sweep after trailing by five runs or more. No team had done that before.
Key details
- Deficit: 6–1 by the third inning
- Turning point: Judge’s home run off the foul pole
- Result: Series extended to Game 4
2012 Cardinals Stun Nationals in NLDS
St. Louis trailed 6–0 early in Game 5 of the NLDS and chipped away over several innings. Washington regained a 7–5 lead entering the ninth, setting up a high-pressure finish.
Daniel Descalso and Pete Kozma each hit two-run singles off closer Drew Storen. The Cardinals secured the final outs to complete a 9–7 win and advance.
Inning-by-inning impact
- Runs scored in four separate innings
- Two clutch hits in the ninth
- Clean final inning to close the game
2014 Royals Oust Athletics in Wild Card Thriller
Kansas City’s Wild Card game against Oakland featured two late deficits and constant pressure. The Royals trailed 7–3 in the eighth and tied the game using speed, steals, and contact hitting.
Oakland scored again in the 12th, but Kansas City answered once more. Salvador Perez ended the game with an RBI single for a 9–8 win.
Game notes
- Stolen bases: Seven by Kansas City
- Lead changes: Multiple after the eighth
- Outcome: Extra-inning walk-off win
Influence of Legendary Players and Managers on Historic Comebacks
Many of the biggest playoff comebacks in MLB history happened because managers made bold choices and star players delivered. Leadership decisions, timely hitting, and strong pitching often changed games that looked lost.
Impact of Connie Mack’s Leadership
Connie Mack led the Philadelphia Athletics with patience and control during high-pressure moments. In the 1929 World Series, his steady approach helped the team stay focused while facing a large deficit.
During Game 4, the Athletics trailed by eight runs before mounting a comeback. Mack kept his hitters aggressive at the plate and trusted his bench.
That trust paid off during a historic rally that turned the game around. Mack also managed his pitching carefully.
He relied on veteran arms late in the game to protect the lead. His calm leadership gave players confidence to keep attacking.
Jimmie Foxx and Al Simmons in 1929
Jimmie Foxx and Al Simmons played central roles in the Athletics’ 1929 comeback. Simmons sparked the rally with a home run that shifted momentum and forced Chicago to adjust its pitching.
Foxx followed with disciplined at-bats that kept runners moving. He avoided chasing bad pitches and looked for mistakes.
That approach helped wear down the Cubs’ pitching staff during the long inning. Key contributions from Simmons and Foxx included:
- Early hits that ended the shutout
- Consistent contact with runners on base
- Pressure on relievers forced into the game mid-inning
Mickey Lolich’s Heroics in 1968
Mickey Lolich delivered one of the strongest pitching performances tied to a playoff comeback.
In the 1968 World Series, Detroit faced elimination after falling behind three games to one.
Lolich started Game 7 on short rest and shut down a powerful Cardinals lineup.
He allowed few scoring chances and controlled the pace from the first inning.
His complete-game win secured the title for Detroit.
Lolich’s impact stood out because he won three games in the series.
His durability and command gave Detroit a chance to recover from a deep series hole.
