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)?
2024 NLCS Schedule
When is the 2024 NLCS expected to take place?
MLB Playoff Format
How has the MLB playoff format evolved over the years?
Recap of the Last NLCS
What were the results of the most recent NLCS?
World Series Favorites
Which teams are considered favorites to win the 2024 World Series?
Paruyr Shahbazyan began his business career in 2000 as a private entrepreneur. Over thirteen years, he developed a deep understanding for business and leadership, laying a solid foundation for his professional journey.
In 2013, Paruyr stepped into the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating. This online mass media platform, which he led until 2020, focused on providing in-depth analysis and insights in sports betting, earning a reputation for its quality content.
Continuing his innovative approach in 2022, Paruyr co-founded Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol. This venture showcases his dedication to integrating advanced technology in the evolving landscape of sports betting. Through these diverse experiences, Paruyr has continuously influenced and shaped the betting industry, driving new trends and setting high standards.
Experience
Year
Engaged in private entrepreneurship
2000-2013
Founder and President at Bookmaker Rating, an online platform focused on sports and betting
2013-2020
Co-founder at Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol
2022
"Innovation in sportsbetting comes from a deep understanding of both technology and the human element of sports."
-Paruyr Shahbazyan, Founder, RG
Principles and Ethics
Paruyr Shahbazyan's core beliefs lie in the power of informed decision-making and integrity in the betting industry. He understands that the foundation of successful betting is not just about odds and predictions, but also about the trust and reliability of the information provided. Paruyr advocates for a betting environment where transparency and knowledge are paramount, ensuring that bettors are well-equipped with accurate data and insights.
Strategic Vision
Paruyr's vision is to revolutionize the sports betting industry through the integration of technology. He sees the future of betting as a blend of traditional sports knowledge with innovative tech solutions, like decentralized protocols, to enhance user experience and fairness. His aim is to create platforms that are not only user-friendly but also uphold the highest standards of ethical betting, contributing to a more responsible and enjoyable betting culture.
Future Perspectives
Looking towards the future, Paruyr envisions a betting landscape that is more inclusive, technologically advanced, and globally connected. He anticipates a significant shift towards more decentralized and transparent betting systems, driven by blockchain technology. Paruyr is committed to being at the forefront of this change, continuously exploring new possibilities and innovations that can redefine what it means to engage in sports betting in a digital world. His focus is on building systems that prioritize user empowerment, fairness, and the global growth of the sports betting community.
Sol's interest in sports was sparked at a young age, inspired by athletes such as Barry Sanders, Michael Jordan, and Wayne Gretzky. This early fascination evolved into a deep-seated passion, guiding him toward a career in sports journalism in 2007. Over the years, Sol has contributed thousands of articles and reviews to dozens of online platforms, sharing his research, knowledge, and perspectives.
“In the world of sports betting, truth is more valuable than any bonus offer.”
Cristina used to work as a Psychology Assistant in the Bizkaia Pathological and Risky Gamblers Association. She was also part of a research team in Deusto University, specializing in pathological gambling area. While working there, she managed to develop her own project
“Exploring the association between emotional regulation, alexithymia, stressful life events and gambling in adolescent and young adult women”.
Nick has been fascinated with sports since he was first taken to a Toronto Maple Leafs game back in 1998, and he's written about them professionally since 2014.
Nick has covered baseball and hockey for outlets like The Athletic, Sportsnet, and Yahoo Sports, and his sports betting expertise has grown since its legalization in Ontario in 2022.
Between 2022 and 2023 he worked for a betting startup called NorthStar Bets, and in 2024 he contributed to Oddspedia before joining the Responsible Gambling team.
Ph.D. in organizational psychology, an internationally certified psychologist (EuroPsy 2022, Cognitive behavioural therapy of mindfulness 2020, International Society for Emotional Intelligence 2017, Russian Psychological society 2014, American Psychological Association(Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychologist) 2011), speaker of many international conferences (USA, Brazil, Portugal, Czech Republic, Russia, etc.). TEDx speaker.
Mike made the decision to dive headfirst into the booming world of sports betting fresh out of college. Back in the day, when 1-800 pick lines and sports pagers were all the rage, he couldn't resist the allure, having grown up idolizing sports legends like Sweetness, MJ, and Slammin Sammy. Mike dedicated his early years to the industry, tirelessly analyzing games, writing articles with free picks, and selling his expertise on reputable handicapping sites. Unlike many others, Mike was known for his integrity and only released one Game of the Year per sport, per season. His hard work and unwavering commitment paid off, earning him a devoted following and propelling his career to new heights. Then came the explosion of Daily Fantasy Sports. Believe it or not, companies like DraftKings and FanDuel used to pay Mike's company to increase their brand exposure. Now, those same industry giants don't even bother responding to his emails. While Mike appreciates the convenience of being able to place legal bets in his own backyard, he can't help but feel disheartened by what has become of the industry. People are being led astray, falsely believing that a mere $5 wager on a 20-team same-game-parlay will be their ticket to financial security. If there’s one thing Mike learned from making book back in the day, it’s that parlays are a bookie’s best friend. A bankroll is the only leg you have to stand on in the battle with the books, and Mike’s here to offer up advice on how to protect it.
