National League Championship Series

In Major League Baseball, the National League Championship Series (NLCS) determines who wins the National League pennant and advances to baseball's championship, the World Series, facing the winner of the American League Championship Series.

Related Topics:
Major League Baseball - National League - Baseball - World Series - American League Championship Series

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Prior to 1969, the National League Champion (the "Pennant Winner") was determined by the best won-loss record at the end of the regular season. There was an occasional ad hoc playoff series due to ties under this formulation, as also happened in the rival American League.

Related Topics:
1969 - American League

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A structured playoff series began in 1969, when both the National and American Leagues were reorganized into two divisions each, East and West. The two division winners within each league played each other in a best-of-five series to determine who would advanced to the World Series. In 1985, the format changed to best-of-seven.

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In 1981, a divisional series was held due to split-season caused by strike action.

Related Topics:
1981 - Strike action

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In 1994, the league was restructured into three divisions, with the three division winners and a wild-card team advancing to a best-of-five playoff round, the National League Division Series (NLDS). The winners of that round then advance to the best-of-seven NLCS. This is the system currently in use.

Related Topics:
1994 - National League Division Series

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A Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is given to the outstanding player in each series. No MVP award is given for Division Series play.

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For National League pennant winners prior to 1969, see National League pennant winners 1901-68 and National League pennant winners 1876-1900.

Related Topics:
National League pennant winners 1901-68 - National League pennant winners 1876-1900

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