The National League Championship Series (NLCS) is a best-of-seven series that is played annually between the two divisions of the National League of Major League Baseball. The series is held during the latter part of October and the beginning of November and is the second postseason tournament after the Division Series. The winner of the NLCS will advance to the World Series, the MLB’s ultimate championship.
History of NLCS
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) first began in 1969 when the National League was divided into two divisions, East and West. The two division winners would then meet in a best-of-five series to determine the National League champion. This format remained in place until 1993 when the NL was reorganized into three divisions and the best-of-five series was changed to a best-of-seven series. The winner of the NLCS has gone on to win the World Series in 21 of the 44 years the series has been played.
Format of NLCS
The NLCS is a best-of-seven series, with the winner advancing to the World Series. The series is structured in a 2–3–2 format, with the team with the better regular-season record (or the team that won the Wild Card Game) having the home-field advantage. The teams alternate between home and away games throughout the series, with the team with the better record having the home field advantage in Games 1, 2, 6 and 7.
Awarding of Home Field Advantage
The team with the better regular-season record will have the home-field advantage in the NLCS. This is determined by head-to-head record if the teams have played each other an equal number of times, or by the team with the better winning percentage in the division if the teams have not played each other an equal number of times.
Wild Card Game
The Wild Card Game is a one-game playoff between the two Wild Card teams in the National League. The winner of the Wild Card Game will advance to the NLCS and have the home-field advantage.
Tie-Breaking Procedure
In the event of a tie in the standings, the following tie-breaking procedures will be used:
• Head-to-head record
• Intradivision record
• Record in the last half of intraleague games
• Record in the last half plus one intraleague game
• Highest winning percentage in games played within the division
• Highest winning percentage in all intraleague games
• Highest winning percentage in all games played
• Coin toss
Scheduling of NLCS
The NLCS will typically begin on the first Tuesday after the end of the regular season. The first two games of the series are typically played on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Games 3 and 4 taking place on Thursday and Friday. Games 5 and 6, if necessary, are typically played on Saturday and Sunday, and Game 7, if necessary, is played on Monday.
Umpires of NLCS
The umpires for the NLCS are selected by the Commissioner of Major League Baseball. The umpires are chosen based on their performance during the regular season and the Division Series.
Prizes Awarded in NLCS
The winning team of the NLCS will receive the Warren C. Giles Trophy, which is a silver trophy that is named after the former president of the National League. The trophy is presented to the winning team prior to the start of the World Series. The winning team and each player on the roster also receive NLCS Championship rings, which are typically presented at team functions during the offseason.
Conclusion
The National League Championship Series is an important event that determines which team will represent the National League in the World Series. It is a best-of-seven series that is played annually between the two divisions of the National League of Major League Baseball. The winner of the NLCS will advance to the World Series and receive the Warren C. Giles Trophy, as well as championship rings for each player on the roster.