what is alcs in baseball

The American League Championship Series (ALCS) is the final round of the American League playoffs that determines the winner of the American League Pennant. It is a best-of-seven playoff and one of two League Championship Series comprising the penultimate round of Major League Baseballs postseason. The ALCS began in 1969 as a best-of-five playoff and used this format until 1985, when it changed to its current best-of-seven format. The two winners of the American League (AL) Division Series compete in the ALCS, and the winner of the ALCS advances to the World Series, MLBs championship series, to play the winner of the National Leagues (NL) Championship Series. Since 1995, it has been possible for two teams from the same division to meet in the ALCS.