The ALCS in baseball stands for the American League Championship Series. It is a best-of-seven playoff series played in Major League Baseball (MLB) to determine the champion of the American League and which team will advance to the World Series. The ALCS features the two winners from the American League Division Series (ALDS) competing for the league pennant. The winner of the ALCS then faces the National League Championship Series (NLCS) winner in the World Series to compete for the MLB championship. The ALCS is typically held in October and is one of the most critical and exciting stages of the MLB postseason.