National League Championship Series facts for kids
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) is a big baseball event. It's also called the National League Pennant. This series is a "best-of-seven" playoff, meaning two teams play up to seven games, and the first team to win four games wins the series.
The NLCS is one of the final rounds in Major League Baseball's (MLB) postseason. It happens after the regular season ends. The two best teams from the National League (NL) Division Series play against each other. The team that wins the NLCS gets the NL pennant. They then go on to play in the World Series, which is MLB's championship. There, they face the winner of the American League's (AL) Championship Series. The NLCS started in 1969 as a "best-of-five" series. This means teams played up to five games, and the first to win three games won. In 1985, it changed to the "best-of-seven" format we see today.
Contents
History of the NLCS
Before 1969, the National League champion was simply the team with the best win-loss record at the end of the regular season. Sometimes, if two teams had the same best record, they would play a special three-game series to decide the winner. This happened a few times, like in 1946, 1951, 1959, and 1962.
In 1969, baseball changed how its postseason worked. Both the National and American Leagues were split into two groups called divisions (East and West). The winners of these two divisions in each league would then play each other. This was a best-of-five series to see who would go to the World Series. In 1985, this series became a best-of-seven.
Since 1985, the NLCS (and ALCS) games are played in a special order: 2–3–2. This means the first two games are at one team's stadium. Then, the next three games are at the other team's stadium. If needed, the last two games go back to the first team's stadium. The team with the better record usually gets to play more games at home. However, a team that won their division always gets home field advantage over a Wild Card team. From 1969 to 1993, home field advantage switched between divisions each year. From 1995 to 1997, it was decided before the season started.
In 1981, there was a special "division series" because a players' strike split the season into two parts.
In 1994, the league changed again, creating three divisions. The three division winners and one "wild card" team (the best team that didn't win a division) would go to a new best-of-five round called the National League Division Series (NLDS). The winners of the NLDS then play in the best-of-seven NLCS. However, a players' strike in 1994 meant no postseason was played that year. So, the new format officially started in 1995. The playoffs grew even more in 2012 and 2022 to include more Wild Card teams.
Some managers have led their teams to the NLCS many times. Bobby Cox holds the record for the most consecutive NLCS appearances. He led the Atlanta Braves to eight straight NLCS from 1991 to 1999! The Braves are the only National League team to make more than three NLCS appearances in a row.
The Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros are the only teams that have played in both the ALCS and NLCS. The Astros are the only team to have won both an NLCS (in 2005) and an ALCS (in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022). The Astros played in the NLCS four times before moving to the American League in 2013. Every team currently in the National League has played in the NLCS. All of them, except the Brewers, have won an NL Pennant through the NLCS.
In 2022, for the first time ever, two Wild Card teams played against each other in the NLCS.
Championship Trophy
The team that wins the NLCS gets the Warren C. Giles Trophy. This trophy is named after Warren Giles, who was the president of the National League from 1951 to 1969.
Most Valuable Player Award
A special award is given to the best player in the NLCS. This is called the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. There isn't an MVP award for the Division Series games.
Sometimes, a player from the losing team has won the MVP award. This happened twice: in 1986, Mike Scott of the Houston Astros won it, and in 1987, Jeffrey Leonard of the San Francisco Giants won it.
The National League started giving out its LCS MVP award in 1977. The American League started theirs in 1980. You can find the winners in the table below, in the "Series MVP" column.
Results of the NLCS
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Wild card team |
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MVP did not play for winning team |
Year | Winning team | Manager | Games | Losing team | Manager | Series MVP |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1969 | New York Mets | Gil Hodges | 3–0 | Atlanta Braves | Lum Harris | |
1970 | Cincinnati Reds | Sparky Anderson | 3–0 | Pittsburgh Pirates | Danny Murtaugh | |
1971 | Pittsburgh Pirates | Danny Murtaugh | 3–1 | San Francisco Giants | Charlie Fox | |
1972 | Cincinnati Reds | Sparky Anderson | 3–2 | Pittsburgh Pirates | Bill Virdon | |
1973 | New York Mets | Yogi Berra | 3–2 | Cincinnati Reds | Sparky Anderson | |
1974 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Walter Alston | 3–1 | Pittsburgh Pirates | Danny Murtaugh | |
1975 | Cincinnati Reds | Sparky Anderson | 3–0 | Pittsburgh Pirates | Danny Murtaugh | |
1976 | Cincinnati Reds | Sparky Anderson | 3–0 | Philadelphia Phillies | Danny Ozark | |
1977 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Tommy Lasorda | 3–1 | Philadelphia Phillies | Danny Ozark | Dusty Baker, Los Angeles |
1978 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Tommy Lasorda | 3–1 | Philadelphia Phillies | Danny Ozark | Steve Garvey, Los Angeles |
1979 | Pittsburgh Pirates | Chuck Tanner | 3–0 | Cincinnati Reds | John McNamara | Willie Stargell, Pittsburgh |
1980 | Philadelphia Phillies | Dallas Green | 3–2 | Houston Astros | Bill Virdon | Manny Trillo, Philadelphia |
1981 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Tommy Lasorda | 3–2 | Montreal Expos | Jim Fanning | Burt Hooton, Los Angeles |
1982 | St. Louis Cardinals | Whitey Herzog | 3–0 | Atlanta Braves | Joe Torre | Darrell Porter, St. Louis |
1983 | Philadelphia Phillies | Paul Owens | 3–1 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Tommy Lasorda | Gary Matthews, Philadelphia |
1984 | San Diego Padres | Dick Williams | 3–2 | Chicago Cubs | Jim Frey | Steve Garvey, San Diego |
1985 | St. Louis Cardinals | Whitey Herzog | 4–2 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Tommy Lasorda | Ozzie Smith, St. Louis |
1986 | New York Mets | Davey Johnson | 4–2 | Houston Astros | Hal Lanier | Mike Scott, Houston* |
1987 | St. Louis Cardinals | Whitey Herzog | 4–3 | San Francisco Giants | Roger Craig | Jeffrey Leonard, San Francisco* |
1988 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Tommy Lasorda | 4–3 | New York Mets | Davey Johnson | Orel Hershiser, Los Angeles |
1989 | San Francisco Giants | Roger Craig | 4–1 | Chicago Cubs | Don Zimmer | Will Clark, San Francisco |
1990 | Cincinnati Reds | Lou Piniella | 4–2 | Pittsburgh Pirates | Jim Leyland | Rob Dibble and Randy Myers, Cincinnati |
1991 | Atlanta Braves | Bobby Cox | 4–3 | Pittsburgh Pirates | Jim Leyland | Steve Avery, Atlanta |
1992 | Atlanta Braves | Bobby Cox | 4–3 | Pittsburgh Pirates | Jim Leyland | John Smoltz, Atlanta |
1993 | Philadelphia Phillies | Jim Fregosi | 4–2 | Atlanta Braves | Bobby Cox | Curt Schilling, Philadelphia |
1994 | No Series due to a players' strike. | |||||
1995 | Atlanta Braves | Bobby Cox | 4–0 | Cincinnati Reds | Davey Johnson | Mike Devereaux, Atlanta |
1996 | Atlanta Braves | Bobby Cox | 4–3 | St. Louis Cardinals | Tony La Russa | Javy López, Atlanta |
1997 | Florida Marlins![]() |
Jim Leyland | 4–2 | Atlanta Braves | Bobby Cox | Liván Hernández, Florida |
1998 | San Diego Padres | Bruce Bochy | 4–2 | Atlanta Braves | Bobby Cox | Sterling Hitchcock, San Diego |
1999 | Atlanta Braves | Bobby Cox | 4–2 | New York Mets![]() |
Bobby Valentine | Eddie Pérez, Atlanta |
2000 | New York Mets![]() |
Bobby Valentine | 4–1 | St. Louis Cardinals | Tony La Russa | Mike Hampton, New York |
2001 | Arizona Diamondbacks | Bob Brenly | 4–1 | Atlanta Braves | Bobby Cox | Craig Counsell, Arizona |
2002 | San Francisco Giants![]() |
Dusty Baker | 4–1 | St. Louis Cardinals | Tony La Russa | Benito Santiago, San Francisco |
2003 | Florida Marlins![]() |
Jack McKeon | 4–3 | Chicago Cubs | Dusty Baker | Iván Rodríguez, Florida |
2004 | St. Louis Cardinals | Tony La Russa | 4–3 | Houston Astros![]() |
Phil Garner | Albert Pujols, St. Louis |
2005 | Houston Astros![]() |
Phil Garner | 4–2 | St. Louis Cardinals | Tony La Russa | Roy Oswalt, Houston |
2006 | St. Louis Cardinals | Tony La Russa | 4–3 | New York Mets | Willie Randolph | Jeff Suppan, St. Louis |
2007 | Colorado Rockies![]() |
Clint Hurdle | 4–0 | Arizona Diamondbacks | Bob Melvin | Matt Holliday, Colorado |
2008 | Philadelphia Phillies | Charlie Manuel | 4–1 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Joe Torre | Cole Hamels, Philadelphia |
2009 | Philadelphia Phillies | Charlie Manuel | 4–1 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Joe Torre | Ryan Howard, Philadelphia |
2010 | San Francisco Giants | Bruce Bochy | 4–2 | Philadelphia Phillies | Charlie Manuel | Cody Ross, San Francisco |
2011 | St. Louis Cardinals![]() |
Tony La Russa | 4–2 | Milwaukee Brewers | Ron Roenicke | David Freese, St. Louis |
2012 | San Francisco Giants | Bruce Bochy | 4–3 | St. Louis Cardinals![]() |
Mike Matheny | Marco Scutaro, San Francisco |
2013 | St. Louis Cardinals | Mike Matheny | 4–2 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Don Mattingly | Michael Wacha, St. Louis |
2014 | San Francisco Giants![]() |
Bruce Bochy | 4–1 | St. Louis Cardinals | Mike Matheny | Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco |
2015 | New York Mets | Terry Collins | 4–0 | Chicago Cubs![]() |
Joe Maddon | Daniel Murphy, New York |
2016 | Chicago Cubs | Joe Maddon | 4–2 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Dave Roberts | Javier Báez and Jon Lester, Chicago |
2017 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Dave Roberts | 4–1 | Chicago Cubs | Joe Maddon | Chris Taylor and Justin Turner, Los Angeles |
2018 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Dave Roberts | 4–3 | Milwaukee Brewers | Craig Counsell | Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles |
2019 | Washington Nationals![]() |
Dave Martinez | 4–0 | St. Louis Cardinals | Mike Shildt | Howie Kendrick, Washington |
2020 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Dave Roberts | 4–3 | Atlanta Braves | Brian Snitker | Corey Seager, Los Angeles |
2021 | Atlanta Braves | Brian Snitker | 4–2 | Los Angeles Dodgers![]() |
Dave Roberts | Eddie Rosario, Atlanta |
2022 | Philadelphia Phillies![]() |
Rob Thomson | 4–1 | San Diego Padres![]() |
Bob Melvin | Bryce Harper, Philadelphia |
2023 | Arizona Diamondbacks![]() |
Torey Lovullo | 4–3 | Philadelphia Phillies![]() |
Rob Thomson | Ketel Marte, Arizona |
Team Appearances in the NLCS
This table shows how many times each team has appeared in the NLCS, how many times they won, and how many times they lost.
Apps | Team | Wins | Losses | Win % | Most recent win |
Most recent appearance |
Games won |
Games lost |
Game win % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
15 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 8 | 7 | .533 | 2020 | 2021 | 39 | 42 | .481 |
14 | St. Louis Cardinals | 7 | 7 | .500 | 2013 | 2019 | 38 | 43 | .469 |
13 | Atlanta Braves | 6 | 7 | .462 | 2021 | 2021 | 34 | 39 | .466 |
11 | Philadelphia Phillies | 6 | 5 | .545 | 2022 | 2023 | 29 | 25 | .537 |
9 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 2 | 7 | .222 | 1979 | 1992 | 17 | 25 | .405 |
8 | Cincinnati Reds | 5 | 3 | .625 | 1990 | 1995 | 18 | 14 | .563 |
8 | New York Mets | 5 | 3 | .625 | 2015 | 2015 | 26 | 17 | .605 |
7 | San Francisco Giants | 5 | 2 | .714 | 2014 | 2014 | 24 | 15 | .615 |
6 | Chicago Cubs | 1 | 5 | .167 | 2016 | 2017 | 11 | 21 | .344 |
4 | Houston Astros | 1 | 3 | .250 | 2005 | 2005 | 11 | 13 | .458 |
3 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 2 | 1 | .667 | 2023 | 2023 | 8 | 8 | .500 |
3 | San Diego Padres | 2 | 1 | .667 | 1998 | 2022 | 8 | 8 | .500 |
2 | Miami Marlins | 2 | 0 | 1.000 | 2003 | 2003 | 8 | 5 | .615 |
2 | Washington Nationals | 1 | 1 | .500 | 2019 | 2019 | 6 | 3 | .667 |
2 | Milwaukee Brewers | 0 | 2 | .000 | Never | 2018 | 5 | 8 | .385 |
1 | Colorado Rockies | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 2007 | 2007 | 4 | 0 | 1.000 |
Years of Appearance for Each Team
This table lists all the years each team has appeared in the NLCS. Years in bold mean the team won the NLCS that year.
Apps | Team | Wins | Losses | Win % | Season(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
15 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 8 | 7 | .533 | 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 |
14 | St. Louis Cardinals | 7 | 7 | .500 | 1982, 1985, 1987, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019 |
13 | Atlanta Braves | 6 | 7 | .462 | 1969, 1982, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2020, 2021 |
11 | Philadelphia Phillies | 6 | 5 | .545 | 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1993, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2022, 2023 |
8 | New York Mets | 5 | 3 | .625 | 1969, 1973, 1986, 1988, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2015 |
8 | Cincinnati Reds | 5 | 3 | .625 | 1970, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1990, 1995 |
7 | San Francisco Giants | 5 | 2 | .714 | 1971, 1987, 1989, 2002, 2010, 2012, 2014 |
9 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 2 | 7 | .222 | 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1990, 1991, 1992 |
3 | San Diego Padres | 2 | 1 | .667 | 1984, 1998, 2022 |
3 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 2 | 1 | .667 | 2001, 2007, 2023 |
2 | Miami Marlins | 2 | 0 | 1.000 | 1997, 2003 |
6 | Chicago Cubs | 1 | 5 | .167 | 1984, 1989, 2003, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
4 | Houston Astros | 1 | 3 | .250 | 1980, 1986, 2004, 2005 |
2 | Washington Nationals | 1 | 1 | .500 | 1981, 2019 |
1 | Colorado Rockies | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 2007 |
2 | Milwaukee Brewers | 0 | 2 | .000 | 2011, 2018 |
Common Matchups in the NLCS
This table shows which teams have played each other most often in the NLCS.
Count | Matchup | Record | Years |
---|---|---|---|
5 | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Reds, 4–1 | 1970, 1972, 1975, 1979, 1990 |
5 | Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies | Phillies, 3–2 | 1977, 1978, 1983, 2008, 2009 |
4 | San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Giants, 3–1 | 1987, 2002, 2012, 2014 |
2 | Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets | Tied, 1–1 | 1969, 1999 |
2 | Atlanta Braves vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Tied, 1–1 | 1982, 1996 |
2 | Atlanta Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Braves, 2–0 | 1991, 1992 |
2 | Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers | Tied, 1–1 | 2020, 2021 |
2 | Houston Astros vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Tied, 1–1 | 2004, 2005 |
2 | New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Tied, 1–1 | 2000, 2006 |
2 | Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals | Cardinals, 2–0 | 1985, 2013 |
2 | Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers | Tied, 1–1 | 2016, 2017 |
See also
- List of National League pennant winners
- List of National League Wild Card winners
- National League Division Series
- American League Championship Series