NLCS stands for National League Championship Series in baseball. It is the final round of the National League playoffs that determines the winner of the National League Pennant. The National League Pennant winner is considered the top team in the National League. The NLCS is a best-of-seven game series between the winners of the National League Division Series (NLDS) in which the first team to four wins is crowned the National League Champion. The National League Championship Series winner then advances to the World Series to play against the American League Championship Series (ALCS) winner in one last best-of-seven series. The NLCS began in 1969 as a best-of-five playoff and used this format until 1985, when it changed to a best-of-seven format.