About the NLCS
The National League Championship Series is a best-of-seven series that determines which team will face the American League champion in the World Series.
Since 2013, nine different franchises have won the NLCS with the Arizona Diamondbacks winning most recently in 2023. Only the Los Angeles Dodgers have multiple NLCS victories in that time.
Here's some basic info about one of the highlights of the Major League Baseball postseason.
When is the 2024 NLCS?
It's impossible to know when the first pitch of the NLCS will fly in advance because it is reliant on how long other playoff series are. Generally the NLCS is in October leading up to the “Fall Classic” aka the World Series.
If the wild card series and division series run long, it can be pushed deeper into October. If they are lopsided and short, we might see the National League Championship Series start sooner.
Whether the National League division series goes four games or seven games, there's still a relatively limited range of dates for the best-of-seven battle for NL supremacy.
The MLB playoffs begin on October 1, and the last possible date for a World Series game is November 2. With that information in mind, a good estimate for the 2024 NLCS dates is October 13-22.
Playoff Format for MLB
The MLB playoffs have changed significantly in recent years.
Before 1995, just four teams participated in a two-round postseason tournament. From 1903-1968, the playoffs were simply a World Series battle between the best team in the AL and NL during the regular season.
For the last 30 years, the league has been slowly adding more teams to the postseason field. Below is a summary of the growth of the MLB playoffs:
- 1995: MLB realigns to three divisions in the AL and NL, adding a division winner to the postseason field, and a 'Wild Card' — the best team in each league that didn't win its division. Now eight teams make the playoffs instead of four.
- 2011: MLB adds another Wild Card team, and now the two Wild Card clubs must play a single game to determine who enters the playoff field.
- 2020: MLB expands to a 16-team playoff field in a pandemic-shortened season. It returned to the format from 2011-2019 in 2021.
- 2022: MLB adds a third Wild Card team and changes the Wild Card game to a best-of-three. Now 12 teams make the postseason each year.
What happened in the last NLCS?
After the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies advanced to the NLCS, they engaged in a seven-game battle. Below is a summary of the results:
- NLCS Game 1: PHI: 5 ARI: 3
- NLCS Game 2: PHI: 10 ARI: 0
- NLCS Game 3: ARI: 2 PHI: 1
- NLCS Game 4: ARI: 6 PHI: 5
- NLCS Game 5: PHI: 6 ARI: 1
- NLCS Game 6: ARI: 5 PHI: 1
- NLCS Game 7: ARI: 4 PHI: 2
Who Has the Best Odds to Win the World Series?
The Los Angeles Dodgers are considered the World Series favorite by betting markets and projection systems like those found at Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs.
The star-studded team has made it to the National League Championship Series five times since 2016. They have one title to show for their efforts (2020).
Los Angeles has been the MLB betting favorite since before the season began and that status has not wavered.
What Other Teams Could Win the World Series?
The two teams that sit directly behind Los Angeles in the MLB odds are the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies.
Before the season, many expected the Atlanta Braves to be one of the favorites, but injuries have decimated the team's roster, and the Philadelphia Phillies secured a significant lead in the NL East — hamstringing Atlanta's chances.
Last season's World Series participants seem unlikely to return to the Fall Classic in 2024. The defending champion Texas Rangers are in the midst of a disappointing season that's seen their offense fall off significantly.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Diamondbacks punched above their weight in 2023, and seem unable to do so again in 2024.
One MLB trend that makes this season different from other recent campaigns is that there is a smaller concentration of favorites than usual.
Traditional powerhouses like the Houston Astros, and Tampa Bay Rays are all falling short of expectations.
Houston's fall in 2024 has been particularly surprising considering the Astros have appeared in every American League Championship Series since 2017.
If any team other than the Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves or Baltimore Orioles won the World Series it would be a significant surprise.
NLCS FAQ
Overview of the NLCS
What is the National League Championship Series (NLCS)?
The NLCS is a best-of-seven series that determines which National League team will compete against the American League champion in the World Series. The series is often one of the highlights of the Major League Baseball postseason.
2024 NLCS Schedule
When is the 2024 NLCS expected to take place?
The exact dates for the 2024 NLCS depend on the duration of earlier playoff rounds. However, it is estimated to occur between October 13-22, assuming a typical progression of the playoffs.
MLB Playoff Format
How has the MLB playoff format evolved over the years?
The MLB playoff format has expanded significantly. Originally, only the league champions competed in the World Series.
Over the years, more teams were added, culminating in the current format with 12 teams. Key changes include the addition of Wild Card teams and the expansion to a best-of-three Wild Card series starting in 2022.
Recap of the Last NLCS
What were the results of the most recent NLCS?
In the 2023 NLCS, the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in a seven-game series. The game results were: PHI: 5 ARI: 3, PHI: 10 ARI: 0, ARI: 2 PHI: 1, ARI: 6 PHI: 5, PHI: 6 ARI: 1, ARI: 5 PHI: 1, ARI: 4 PHI: 2.
World Series Favorites
Which teams are considered favorites to win the 2024 World Series?
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the favorites to win the 2024 World Series, according to betting markets and projection systems.
Other strong contenders include the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies. The Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles are also notable teams with the ability to win it all.
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