The Expos advanced to the 1981 National League Championship Series against the Dodgers. After Bill Gullickson lost game 1 to Burt Hooton, Burris took the mound for game 2 against rookie phenom Fernando Valenzuela. In the biggest game of his career, Burris scattered five hits to shutout the Dodgers and even the series. With the series tied at two games apiece, Burris and Valenzuela met again in the decisive fifth game. They dueled to a 1–1 tie through eight innings. Burris departed in the ninth in favor of Expos ace Steve Rogers. Rogers served up a home run to Rick Monday to allow the Dodgers to advance to the 1981 World Series.