About the NLCS
The National League Championship Series is a best-of-seven series determining which team will play the American League champion in the World Series.
Nine teams have won the NLCS since 2013, with the Los Angeles Dodgers winning most recently in 2024. Only the Dodgers have multiple NLCS wins during that time.
Here’s a quick rundown of one of the best parts of the Major League Baseball postseason:
2025 NLCS
We can’t know when the first pitch of the NLCS will be until we know how long the wild card and division series will go.
The NLCS will be pushed deeper into October if the wild card and division series are long. If they are short and lopsided, the NLCS might start sooner.
Whether the National League Division Series goes four games or seven games, there’s still a relatively small window for the battle for NL supremacy.
The 2025 playoff schedule has not been released, but if it starts around October 1 and the last possible date for a World Series game is in early November, that means a good estimate for the 2025 NLCS dates is October 13-22.
Playoff Format for MLB
The MLB playoffs have changed a lot.
Before 1995, only four teams participated in a two-round postseason tournament. From 1903 to 1968, the playoffs were just a World Series between the best teams in the AL and NL during the regular season.
For the last 30 years, the league has been adding more teams to the postseason. Here’s a quick rundown of the growth of the MLB playoffs:
- 1995: MLB goes to 3 divisions in each league, adds a division winner to the postseason, and a ‘Wild Card’ — the best team in each league that didn’t win their division. No,w 8 teams make the playoffs instead of 4.
- 2011: MLB added another Wild Card team, and now the two Wild Card teams play a one-game playoff to determine who advances to the playoff field.
- 2020: MLB goes to a 16-team playoff field in a shortened season. Returns to 2011-2019 format in 2021.
- 2022: MLB adds a 3rd 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?
The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets made it to the NLCS and played a six-game series.
Here are the results:
| Game | Dodgers Score | Mets Score |
|---|---|---|
| NLCS Game 1 | 9 | 0 |
| NLCS Game 2 | 3 | 7 |
| NLCS Game 3 | 8 | 0 |
| NLCS Game 4 | 10 | 2 |
| NLCS Game 5 | 6 | 12 |
| NLCS Game 6 | 10 | 5 |
Who Has the Best Odds to Win the 2025 World Series?
According to betting markets and projection systems like Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs, the Dodgers are the 2025 World Series favorites.
They’ve made the NLCS six times since 2016 and have two titles to show for it (2020, 2024).
Who else could win the World Series?
The two teams behind the Dodgers in the odds are the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves.
Before the 2024 season, many thought the Braves would be one of the favorites, but injuries decimated the team’s roster. The Philadelphia Phillies took a big lead in the NL East — killing Atlanta’s chances.
The Yankees are coming off their first American League Championship Series win since 2009. They possess star power at the top of the lineup and the financial resources to patch up weaknesses before the 2025 season begins.
Other top World Series contenders include the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Mets. Each has a talented roster and is willing to spend on a large payroll.
NLCS FAQ
NLCS Primer
What is the National League Championship Series (NLCS)?
The NLCS is a best-of-seven series determining which National League team will play the American League champion in the World Series. This is a highlight of the MLB postseason.
2025 NLCS Schedule
When is the 2025 NLCS?
The exact dates are TBD, but assuming a typical playoff progression, it’s expected to be around October 13-22.
MLB Playoff Format
How has the MLB playoff format evolved over the years?
The MLB playoff format has grown a lot. Originally only the league champions played in the World Series. Over time, more teams were added, and now we have 12 teams. Key changes include adding Wild Card teams and the Wild Card series being best-of-three starting in 2022.
Recap of the Last NLCS
What were the results of the most recent NLCS?
In the 2024 NLCS, the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Mets in six games. The game scores were: LAD 9, NYM: 0, NYM: 7, LAD:3, LAD: 8, NYM: 0, LAD: 10, NYM: 2, NYM: 12, LAD: 6 and LAD: 10, NYM: 5.
World Series Favorites
Which teams are considered favorites to win the 2025 World Series?
The Dodgers are the favorites to win the 2025 World Series, according to the odds and projections.
The New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies are also strong contenders. The Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles are other teams to watch.
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