MLB altered its playoff structure in 1969 and established the League Championship Series. The LCS is a showdown between the winners of the division series to determine which team will represent its respective league — American League and National League — in the World Series. Baseball expanded both the ALCS and NLCS in 1985, from a best-of-five to a best-of-seven series.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are facing off in the 2024 NLCS. Here's a look at notable stats from NLCS history:
Franchise with the most appearances
Los Angeles Dodgers, 16
Franchise with the most games played
Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals are tied with 81 apiece
Franchise with the most wins
Los Angeles Dodgers, 39
Franchise with the most series wins
Los Angeles Dodgers, 8
Player with the most games
Terry Pendleton, 38
Player with the most at-bats
Terry Pendleton, 135
Player with the highest batting average
Lloyd McClendon, .625
Player with the most hits
Pete Rose, 45
Player with the most home runs
Albert Pujols, 10
Player with the most RBIs
Albert Pujols, 27
Player with the most runs
Albert Pujols, 25
Player with the most stolen bases
Ron Gant, Davey Lopes and Joe Morgan are tied with eight apiece
Pitcher with the most games
Mark Wohlers, 19
Pitcher with the most wins
Tom Glavine and John Smoltz tied with six apiece
Pitcher with the most losses
Tom Glavine, 10
Pitcher with the most saves
Brad Lidge, 10
Pitcher with the lowest ERA
Dave Dravecky, 0.43
Pitcher with the most strikeouts
John Smoltz, 89
Manager with the most wins
Bobby Cox, 28 (5-5 in 10 NLCS appearances with the Atlanta Braves)
All-time winners
2023 — Arizona Diamondbacks
2022 — Philadelphia Phillies
2021 — Atlanta Braves
2020 — Los Angeles
ESPN
Analysis
MET
2020
Diamondback
Pete Rose
Philadelphia Phillies
Albert Pujols