There are a lot of ALDS meaning in various fields. However, we will talk about one particular meaning in baseball. It is one of the most exciting and crucial events all baseball fans love.
To answer your query, “what is ALDS in baseball,” the ALDS is a playoff round that determines two teams who will advance to the American League Champion Series (ALCS) and, potentially, the World Series. If you want to learn more, read below!
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What is ALDS and What Does It Stand for?
The American league division series is what the ALDS stands for in MLB. It is one of the stages of the MLB postseason in the American League, along with the American League Championship Series (ALCS) and the World Series.
The ALDS is a best-of-five playoff series played annually in October after the conclusion of the regular season.
It features the champions of the American League’s three divisions and one wild-card team competing in a series of games to determine which two teams will advance to the ALCS.
The ALDS is a pivotal part of the MLB postseason, as it marks the first step for teams on their journey to the World Series.
History of ALDS
The initial divisional series took place in 1981, during a year when a strike that lasted for two months was initially thought of as a temporary solution to the problem.
To accommodate the situation, Major League owners decided to divide the season into two halves. The top-ranking teams from each half in every division would compete in a divisional playoff series, with the winner advancing to the League Championship Series.
In 1994, baseball introduced a new division, the Central, to make room for expansion teams and realignment. Unfortunately, due to a strike that year, there were no postseason games.
As a result, the Divisional Series did not debut until 1995, which added another elimination round and a new format to the playoffs.
Each league has six division winners and one Wild Card team that competes in a best-of-five series. From its debut until 2011, the Wild Card team faced the league’s top-performing team in most cases.
In 2012, an additional Wild Card spot was introduced for each league. The rule that prohibited teams from the same division from competing against each other was eliminated.
How Does the ALDS Work?
The ALDS best of five series, meaning that the first team to win three games advances to the next round of the playoffs, the American League Championship Series (ALCS).
In the second round of the playoffs, the winners of the Wild Card Round get to battle the #1 and #2 seeds from the American League (AL). The #1 and #2 seeds are given the first-round pass for being the top teams in the league.
Number of Games in the ALDS
To answer the question, “how many games in ALDS series,” there are a maximum of 5 games in a single series. The first team who wins 3 games gets to advance to the next stage.
In the American League, you can get a maximum of 10 games from the two series. In the end, the ALDS series number of games is dependent on the length of time it takes for the teams to clinch victory in each series, ultimately leading to progression and championship.
Where and When Are the Games in the ALDS
The series typically follows a 2-2-1 format, with the higher seed hosting the first two games, the lower seed hosting the next two games, and the higher seed hosting the decisive fifth game, if necessary.
Depending on the team match-up, the ALDS series length might be shorter or longer than usual.
Who Are the Players in Alds
The ALDS teams are the three division champions of AL East, AL Central, and AL West, along with the wild card winner. These teams comprise athletes who have been part of their respective rosters during the regular season.
ALDS Results (2022):
Knowing what ALDS mean in baseball is not enough; check out the two winning teams for every season in recent years:
| Year | 2 Winners | Losing teams | Games |
| 2022 | New York Yankees | Cleveland Guardians | 3 – 2 |
| Houston Astros | Seattle Marinersdagger | 3 – 0 | |
| 2021 | Houston Astros | Chicago White Sox | 3 – 1 |
| Boston Red Sox | Tampa Bay Rays | 3 – 1 | |
| 2020 | Houston Astros | Oakland Athletics | 3 – 1 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | New York Yankees | 3 – 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ALDS 3 or 5 games?
If you’re thinking, “Does ALDS 5 or 7 games?,” remember that it is a best-of-five series which means that the maximum games that can be played is five.
How many wins does ALDS have?
To answer the question how many games in the ALDS playoff series does a team need to advance, the team needs to win three games in order to advance to the next round.
Does the winner of the ALDS go to the World Series?
No, the winner of the ALDS (American League Division Series) does not automatically advance to the World Series. The team moves on to play against the other team winner who is in the ALDS also.
What happens after ALDs?
After the ALDS (American League Division Series), the two remaining teams in the American League compete in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) in a best-of-seven series.
The winner of the ALCS then advances to the World Series to play against the National League champion in a best-of-seven series to determine the MLB champion.
Conclusion
What is ALDS in baseball? Now that you know what it means, you can immerse yourself in the excitement of the MLB playoffs. Whether you are a die-hard fan or a casual observer, knowing the essentials of the ALDS will enhance your appreciation for the sport.
You can also explore the wealth of information available, from tracking your favorite players to checking the ALDS schedule on the MLB website.
So, join the millions of fans around the world and experience the thrill of the ALDS and the entire MLB postseason!
A powerful swing and the ball is flying across the field, just one hit, and we might never forget the thrill it brings. I do not know about you, but I never do. Every baseball game is the chance to compete with others and cooperate with your teammate. It is among my biggest passions.
