View source for American League Division Series

{{Short description|American baseball qualifying series}}
{{MLB playoffs sidebar}}
In [[Major League Baseball]], the '''American League Division Series''' ('''ALDS''') determines which two teams from the [[American League]] will advance to the [[American League Championship Series]]. The Division Series consists of two best-of-five series, featuring each of the two division winners with the best records and the winners of the [[Wild card (sports)|wild-card]] play-off.

==History==
{{main|Division Series}}
The Division Series was implemented in 1981 as a one-off tournament because of a [[1981 Major League Baseball strike|midseason strike]], with the first place teams before the strike taking on the teams in first place after the strike. In the split 1981 season, the Kansas City Royals reached the postseason with a losing record (50–53) under the first-half/second-half format.<ref>{{cite web |title=1981 AL Division Series: Oakland Athletics over Kansas City Royals |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1981_ALDS2.shtml |access-date=3 October 2025 |website=Baseball-Reference}}</ref>

Teams with sub-.500 records have also qualified in later years during expanded formats, including the 2020 Milwaukee Brewers (29–31) and 2020 Houston Astros (29–31).<ref>{{cite web |title=Brewers 2020 season (29–31) |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIL/2020.shtml |access-date=3 October 2025 |website=Baseball-Reference}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hawkins |first=Stephen |date=27 September 2020 |title=Rangers send Astros to playoffs with losing record |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-to-playoffs-with-losing-record-after-loss-15601595.php |access-date=3 October 2025 |work=Houston Chronicle (Associated Press)}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=27 September 2020 |title=Astros to playoffs with losing record after loss to Texas |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401226570 |access-date=3 October 2025 |work=ESPN}}</ref>

In 1994, it was returned permanently when [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) restructured each league into three divisions, but with a different format than in 1981.  Each of the division winners, along with one [[Wild card (sports)|wild card]] team, qualifies for the Division Series. Despite being planned for the 1994 season, the postseason was cancelled that year due to the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike]]. In 1995, the first season to feature a division series, the Western Division champion [[1995 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]] defeated the wild card [[1995 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] three games to two, while the Central Division champion [[1995 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] defeated the Eastern Division champion [[1995 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]] in a three-game sweep.

From 1994 to 2011, the wild card was given to the team in the American League with the best overall record that was ''not'' a division champion. Beginning with the [[2012 Major League Baseball season|2012 season]], a second wild card team was added, and the two wild card teams play a single-game playoff to determine which team would play in the ALDS.  For the [[2020 Major League Baseball season]] only, there was an expanded playoff format, owing to an abbreviated 60-game regular season due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Eight teams qualified from the American League: the top two teams in each division plus the next two best records among the remaining teams.  These eight teams played a best-of-three-game series to determine placement in the ALDS.  The regular format returned for the 2021 season.

The New York Yankees lead all franchises in ALDS appearances and series victories.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Series and MLB Playoffs: Postseason History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/ |access-date=3 October 2025 |website=Baseball-Reference}}</ref> The Astros had been in the National League through 2012, and had played in the [[National League Division Series]] (NLDS) seven times. The Astros are the only team to win the ALDS in six consecutive seasons. The Yankees' record of four consecutive victories was broken by the Astros with their victory in the 2021 ALDS against the [[2021 Chicago White Sox season|Chicago White Sox]].

===Determining the matchups===
The ALDS is a best-of-five series where the divisional winner with the best winning percentage in the regular season hosts the winner of the [[Wild Card Series]] between the top two wild card teams in one matchup, and the divisional winner with the second best winning percentage hosts the winner of the series between the lowest-seeded divisional winner and the lowest-seeded wild card team.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-playoff-format-faq | title=New MLB postseason format, explained | website=[[MLB.com]] }}</ref> (From 2012 to 2021, the wild card team was assigned to play the divisional winner with the best winning percentage in the regular season in one series, and the other two division winners met in the other series.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kepner |first=Tyler |date=2012-03-05 |title=For No. 1 Seeds, Road to Title Comes With Bumps |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/05/sports/baseball/adding-wild-card-play-in-puts-no-1-seeds-in-tough-spot.html |access-date=2023-03-09 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> From 1998 to 2011, if the wild-card team and the division winner with the best record were from the same division, the wild-card team played the division winner with the second-best record, and the remaining two division leaders played each other.) The two series winners move on to the best-of-seven ALCS. According to [[Nate Silver]], the advent of this playoff series, and especially of the wild card, has caused teams to focus more on "getting to the playoffs" rather than "winning the pennant" as the primary goal of the regular season.<ref>[[Nate Silver]], "Selig's Dream: The Wild Card as Enabler of Pennant Races," in Steven Goldman, Ed., ''It Ain't Over 'til It's Over'' (New York: Basic Books): 170-178.</ref>

From 2012 to 2021, the wild card team that advances to the Division Series was to face the number 1 seed, regardless of whether or not they are in the same division.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120229&content_id=26927024&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|title=Addition of Wild Card berths finalized for 2012|first=Barry M.|last=Bloom|work=MLB.com|date=March 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-03-02|title=MLB to expand playoffs by two teams to 10|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/7638357/mlb-expand-playoffs-two-teams-10|access-date=2021-04-08|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rudnansky |first=Ryan |title=MLB Playoff Format 2012: Explaining Wild Card, Divisional Series Changes & More |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1356314-mlb-playoff-format-2012-explaining-wild-card-divisional-series-changes-more |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Kepner |first=Tyler |date=2012-10-05 |title=In Wild-Card Play-In Game, It’s Win or You’re Out |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/05/sports/baseball/in-wild-card-play-in-game-its-win-or-youre-out.html |access-date=2023-03-09 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The two series winners move on to the best-of-seven ALCS. Beginning with the 2022 season, the winner between the lowest-ranked division winner and the lowest-ranked wild card team faces the number 2 seed division winner in the Division Series, while the 4 v. 5 wild card winner still faces the number 1 seed, as there is no reseeding even if the 6-seeded wild card advances. Home-field advantage goes to the team with the better regular-season record (or head-to-head record if there is a tie between two or more teams), except for the wild-card team, which never receives the home-field advantage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New MLB postseason format, explained |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-playoff-format-faq |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kepner |first=Tyler |date=2022-10-06 |title=Baseball’s Postseason Is Evolving, for Better or Worse |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/06/sports/baseball/wild-card-postseason-preview.html |access-date=2023-03-09 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=12teamplayoff>{{Cite web|title=Everything you need to know about '22 season|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-2022-season-faq|access-date=2022-03-10|website=MLB.com|language=en}}</ref>

Beginning in 2003, MLB has implemented a new rule to give the team from the league that wins the All-Star Game with the best regular season record a slightly greater advantage. In order to spread out the Division Series games for broadcast purposes, the two ALDS series follow one of two off-day schedules. Starting in 2007, after consulting the [[MLBPA]], MLB has decided to allow the team with the best record in the league that wins the All-Star Game to choose whether to use the seven-day schedule (1-2-off-3-4-off-5) or the eight-day schedule (1-off-2-off-3-4-off-5). The team only gets to choose the schedule; the opponent is still determined by win–loss records.

Initially, the best-of-5 series was played in a 2–3 format, with the first two games set at home for the lower seed team and the last three for the higher seed.<ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1984_NLCS.shtml 1984 NL Championship Series], Baseball-Reference.com</ref><ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1997_ALDS1.shtml 1997 AL Division Series], Baseball-Reference.com</ref> Since [[1998 Major League Baseball season|1998]], the series has followed a 2–2–1 format,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | editor-last = Gillette | editor-first = Gary | editor2-last = Palmer | editor2-first = Pete | encyclopedia = The 2006 ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia | title = October Classics: Postseason Series and Playoffs | page = 1656 | publisher = Sterling Publishing | year = 2006 | location = New York}}</ref> where the higher seed team plays at home in Games 1 and 2, the lower seed plays at home in Game 3 and Game 4 (if necessary), and if a Game 5 is needed, the teams return to the higher seed's field. When MLB added a second wild card team in [[2012 Major League Baseball season|2012]], the Division Series re-adopted the 2–3 format due to scheduling conflicts. However, it reverted to the 2–2–1 format starting the next season, [[2013 Major League Baseball season|2013]].<ref name="SportingNews-2012WildCard">{{cite web | author = [[Sporting News]]| title = MLB expands playoff field to 10 teams with addition of two wild cards| date = 2012-03-02| url = http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2012-03-02/mlb-wild-card-two-more-playoff-expansion-postseason| access-date =October 28, 2013}}</ref>

==Format (since 2022)==
Under MLB’s expanded 12-team postseason introduced in 2022, each league sends three division winners and three Wild Card teams. The two division winners with the best records receive byes into the Division Series; the remaining division winner (No. 3 seed) and the three Wild Cards (Nos. 4–6) play best-of-three Wild Card Series, hosted entirely by the higher seed. The ALDS then follows a fixed bracket with no reseeding, and is played in a best-of-five, 2–2–1 format with the higher seed hosting Games 1–2 and 5 (if necessary).<ref>{{cite news |last=Perry |first=Dayn |date=5 October 2022 |title=2022 MLB playoffs: New postseason format explained, and why there are no more Game 163 tiebreakers |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2022-mlb-playoffs-new-postseason-format-explained-and-why-there-are-no-more-game-163-tiebreakers/ |access-date=3 October 2025 |work=CBS Sports}}</ref>

==Results==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:1.00em; line-height:1.5em;"

|+Key
!scope="row"|{{dagger}}
|[[Major League Baseball wild card|Wild card]]
|}

{| class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:1.00em; line-height:1.5em;"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Winning team
! scope="col" | Manager
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Games
! scope="col" | Losing team
! scope="col" | Manager
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[1981 American League Division Series|1981]]
| [[1981 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Bob|Lemon}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[1981 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee Brewers]] || {{sortname|Buck|Rodgers}}
|-
| [[1981 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]] || {{sortname|Billy|Martin}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[1981 Kansas City Royals season|Kansas City Royals]] || {{sortname|Dick|Howser}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|1994]]
| colspan="5" align="center" |No series due to [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|a players' strike]].
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[1995 American League Division Series|1995]]
| [[1995 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Mike|Hargrove}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[1995 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Kevin|Kennedy|Kevin Kennedy (baseball)}}
|-
| [[1995 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]] || {{sortname|Lou|Piniella}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[1995 New York Yankees|New York Yankees]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Buck|Showalter}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[1996 American League Division Series|1996]]
| [[1996 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Joe|Torre}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[1996 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] || {{sortname|Johnny|Oates}}
|-
| [[1996 Baltimore Orioles season|Baltimore Orioles]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Davey|Johnson}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[1996 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Mike|Hargrove}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[1997 American League Division Series|1997]]
| [[1997 Baltimore Orioles season|Baltimore Orioles]] || {{sortname|Davey|Johnson}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[1997 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]] || {{sortname|Lou|Piniella}}
|-
| [[1997 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Mike|Hargrove}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[1997 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Joe|Torre}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[1998 American League Division Series|1998]]
| [[1998 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Joe|Torre}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[1998 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] || {{sortname|Johnny|Oates}}
|-
| [[1998 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Mike|Hargrove}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[1998 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Jimy|Williams}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[1999 American League Division Series|1999]]
| [[1999 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Joe|Torre}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[1999 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] || {{sortname|Johnny|Oates}}
|-
| [[1999 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Jimy|Williams}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[1999 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Mike|Hargrove}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2000 American League Division Series|2000]]
| [[2000 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Lou|Piniella}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[2000 Chicago White Sox season|Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Jerry|Manuel}}
|-
| [[2000 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Joe|Torre}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[2000 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]] || {{sortname|Art|Howe}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2001 American League Division Series|2001]]
| [[2001 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Joe|Torre}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[2001 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Art|Howe}}
|-
| [[2001 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]] || {{sortname|Lou|Piniella}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[2001 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Charlie|Manuel}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2002 American League Division Series|2002]]
| [[2002 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] || {{sortname|Ron|Gardenhire}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[2002 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]] || {{sortname|Art|Howe}}
|-
| [[2002 Anaheim Angels season|Anaheim Angels]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Mike|Scioscia}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[2002 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Joe|Torre}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2003 American League Division Series|2003]]
| [[2003 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Joe|Torre}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[2003 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] || {{sortname|Ron|Gardenhire}}
|-
| [[2003 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Grady|Little}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[2003 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]] || {{sortname|Ken|Macha}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2004 American League Division Series|2004]]
| [[2004 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Joe|Torre}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[2004 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] || {{sortname|Ron|Gardenhire}}
|-
| [[2004 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Terry|Francona}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[2004 Anaheim Angels season|Anaheim Angels]] || {{sortname|Mike|Scioscia}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2005 American League Division Series|2005]]
| [[2005 Chicago White Sox season|Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Ozzie|Guillén}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[2005 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Terry|Francona}}
|-
| [[2005 Los Angeles Angels season|Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]] || {{sortname|Mike|Scioscia}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[2005 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Joe|Torre}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2006 American League Division Series|2006]]
| [[2006 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Jim|Leyland}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[2006 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Joe|Torre}}
|-
| [[2006 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]] || {{sortname|Ken|Macha}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[2006 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] || {{sortname|Ron|Gardenhire}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2007 American League Division Series|2007]]
| [[2007 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Terry|Francona}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[2007 Los Angeles Angels season|Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]] || {{sortname|Mike|Scioscia}}
|-
| [[2007 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Eric|Wedge}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[2007 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Joe|Torre}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2008 American League Division Series|2008]]
| [[2008 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Terry|Francona}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[2008 Los Angeles Angels season|Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]] || {{sortname|Mike|Scioscia}}
|-
| [[2008 Tampa Bay Rays season|Tampa Bay Rays]] || {{sortname|Joe|Maddon}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[2008 Chicago White Sox season|Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Ozzie|Guillén}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2009 American League Division Series|2009]]
| [[2009 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Joe|Girardi}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[2009 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] || {{sortname|Ron|Gardenhire}}
|-
| [[2009 Los Angeles Angels season|Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]] || {{sortname|Mike|Scioscia}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[2009 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Terry|Francona}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2010 American League Division Series|2010]]
| [[2010 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] || {{sortname|Ron|Washington}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[2010 Tampa Bay Rays season|Tampa Bay Rays]] || {{sortname|Joe|Maddon}}
|-
| [[2010 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Joe|Girardi}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[2010 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] || {{sortname|Ron|Gardenhire}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2011 American League Division Series|2011]]
| [[2011 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] || {{sortname|Ron|Washington}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[2011 Tampa Bay Rays season|Tampa Bay Rays]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Joe|Maddon}}
|-
| [[2011 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] || {{sortname|Jim|Leyland}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[2011 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Joe|Girardi}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2012 American League Division Series|2012]]
| [[2012 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] || {{sortname|Jim|Leyland}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[2012 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]] || {{sortname|Bob|Melvin}}
|-
| [[2012 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Joe|Girardi}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[2012 Baltimore Orioles season|Baltimore Orioles]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Buck|Showalter}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2013 American League Division Series|2013]]
| [[2013 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] || {{sortname|Jim|Leyland}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[2013 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]] || {{sortname|Bob|Melvin}}
|-
| [[2013 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|John|Farrell|John Farrell (manager)}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[2013 Tampa Bay Rays season|Tampa Bay Rays]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Joe|Maddon}}
|- 
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2014 American League Division Series|2014]]
| [[2014 Baltimore Orioles season|Baltimore Orioles]] || {{sortname|Buck|Showalter}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[2014 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] || {{sortname|Brad|Ausmus}}
|-
| [[2014 Kansas City Royals season|Kansas City Royals]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Ned|Yost}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[2014 Los Angeles Angels season|Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]] || {{sortname|Mike|Scioscia}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2015 American League Division Series|2015]]
| [[2015 Toronto Blue Jays season|Toronto Blue Jays]] || {{sortname|John|Gibbons}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[2015 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] || {{sortname|Jeff|Banister}}
|-
| [[2015 Kansas City Royals season|Kansas City Royals]] || {{sortname|Ned|Yost}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[2015 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|A. J.|Hinch}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2016 American League Division Series|2016]]
| [[2016 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Terry|Francona}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[2016 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|John|Farrell|John Farrell (manager)}}
|-
| [[2016 Toronto Blue Jays season|Toronto Blue Jays]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|John|Gibbons}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[2016 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]]  || {{sortname|Jeff|Banister}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2017 American League Division Series|2017]]
| [[2017 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]] || {{sortname|A. J.|Hinch}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[2017 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|John|Farrell|John Farrell (manager)}}
|-
| [[2017 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Joe|Girardi}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[2017 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Terry|Francona}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[2018 American League Division Series|2018]]
| [[2018 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]] || {{sortname|A. J.|Hinch}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[2018 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Terry|Francona|Terry Francona}}
|-
| [[2018 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Alex|Cora}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[2018 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Aaron|Boone}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" rowspan="2"| [[2019 American League Division Series|2019]]
| [[2019 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Aaron|Boone}}
|align="center"| 3–0
| [[2019 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] || {{sortname|Rocco|Baldelli}}
|-
| [[2019 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]] || {{sortname|A. J.|Hinch}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[2019 Tampa Bay Rays season|Tampa Bay Rays]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Kevin|Cash}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" rowspan="2"| [[2020 American League Division Series|2020]]
| [[2020 Tampa Bay Rays season|Tampa Bay Rays]] || {{sortname|Kevin|Cash}}
|align="center"| 3–2
| [[2020 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Aaron|Boone}}
|-
| [[2020 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]] || {{sortname|Dusty|Baker}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[2020 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]] || {{sortname|Bob|Melvin}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" rowspan="2"| [[2021 American League Division Series|2021]]
| [[2021 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Alex|Cora}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[2021 Tampa Bay Rays season|Tampa Bay Rays]] || {{sortname|Kevin|Cash}}
|-
| [[2021 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]] || {{sortname|Dusty|Baker}}
|align="center"| 3–1
| [[2021 Chicago White Sox season|Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Tony|La Russa}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" rowspan="2"| [[2022 American League Division Series|2022]]
| [[2022 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]] || {{sortname|Dusty|Baker}}  || align="center"| 3–0 || [[2022 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Scott|Servais}}
|-
| [[2022 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Aaron|Boone}} || align="center"| 3–2 || [[2022 Cleveland Guardians season|Cleveland Guardians]] || {{sortname|Terry|Francona}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" rowspan="2"| [[2023 American League Division Series|2023]]
| [[2023 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Bruce|Bochy}} || align="center"| 3–0 || [[2023 Baltimore Orioles season|Baltimore Orioles]] || {{sortname|Brandon|Hyde}}
|-
| [[2023 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]] || {{sortname|Dusty|Baker}} || align="center"| 3–1 || [[2023 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] || {{sortname|Rocco|Baldelli}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" rowspan="2"| [[2024 American League Division Series|2024]]
| [[2024 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Aaron|Boone}} || align="center"|3–1 || [[2024 Kansas City Royals season|Kansas City Royals]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Matt|Quatraro}}
|-
| [[2024 Cleveland Guardians season|Cleveland Guardians]] || {{sortname|Stephen|Vogt}} || align="center"|3–2 || [[2024 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|A. J.|Hinch}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" rowspan="2"| [[2025 American League Division Series|2025]] 
| [[2025 Toronto Blue Jays season|Toronto Blue Jays]] || {{sortname|John|Schneider|John Schneider (baseball)}} || align="center"|3–1 ||  [[2025 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || {{sortname|Aaron|Boone}}
|-
|[[2025 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]]
|{{sortname|Dan|Wilson|Dan Wilson (catcher)}}
|align="center"|3–2
|[[2025 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]]{{sup|{{dagger}}}}
|{{sortname|A. J.|Hinch}}
|}

===Notable streaks===
*The Houston Astros advanced out of the ALDS in seven consecutive seasons (2017–2023), reaching the ALCS each year in that span.<ref>{{cite news |date=11 October 2023 |title=Astros close out Twins, advance to ALCS vs. Rangers |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38637088/astros-close-twins-advance-alcs-vs-rangers |access-date=3 October 2025 |work=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=11 October 2023 |title=Astros Beat Twins to Win Seventh Straight ALCS, Set Up All-Texas ALCS |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2023/10/12/astros-twins-seventh-straight-alcs-mlb-playoffs |access-date=3 October 2025 |work=Sports Illustrated (Associated Press)}}</ref>

===Appearances by team===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:1.00em; line-height:1.5em;"
!Apps
!Team
!Wins
!Losses
!Win %
!Most recent<br />win
!Most recent<br />appearance
!Games<br />won
!Games<br />lost
!Game<br />win %
|-
||25|| style="text-align:left;" |[[New York Yankees]]||15||10||{{winpct|15|10}}||2024||2025||59||44||{{winpct|59|44}}
|-
||14|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Boston Red Sox]]||8||6||{{winpct|8|6}}||2021||2021||26||26||{{winpct|26|26}}
|-
||12|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Cleveland Guardians]]||6||6||{{winpct|6|6}}||2024||2024||27||24||{{winpct|27|24}}
|-
||9|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Oakland Athletics|Athletics]]||2||7||{{winpct|2|7}}||2006||2020||19||21||{{winpct|19|21}}
|-
||8|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Houston Astros]]||7||1||{{winpct|7|1}}||2023||2023||23||9||{{winpct|23|9}}
|-
||8|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]]||3||5||{{winpct|3|5}}||2023||2023||12||18||{{winpct|12|18}}
|-
||8|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Minnesota Twins]]||1||7||{{winpct|1|7}}||2002||2023||6||23||{{winpct|6|23}}
|-
||7|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Los Angeles Angels]]||3||4||{{winpct|3|4}}||2009||2014||10||15||{{winpct|10|15}}
|-
||7|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Detroit Tigers]]||4||2||{{winpct|4|2}}||2013||2025||16||16||{{winpct|16|16}}
|-
||7|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Tampa Bay Rays]]||2||5||{{winpct|2|4}}||2020||2021||13||18||{{winpct|13|18}}
|-
||6|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Seattle Mariners]]||4||2||{{winpct|4|2}}||2025||2025||13||12||{{winpct|13|12}}
|-
||5|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Baltimore Orioles]]||3||2||{{winpct|3|2}}||2014||2023||11||8||{{winpct|11|8}}
|-
||4|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Chicago White Sox]]||1||3||{{winpct|1|3}}||2005||2021||5||9||{{winpct|5|9}}
|-
||4|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Kansas City Royals]]||2||2||{{winpct|2|2}}||2015||2024||7||8||{{winpct|7|8}}
|-
||3|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Toronto Blue Jays]]||3||0||{{winpct|1|0}}||2025||2025||7||2||{{winpct|7|2}}
|-
||1|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Milwaukee Brewers]]{{efn|name=MIL|The Milwaukee Brewers moved to the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] in 1998.}}||0||1||{{winpct|0|1}}||Never||1981||2||3||{{winpct|2|3}}
|}

===Years of appearance===
In the sortable table below, teams are ordered first by number of wins, then by number of appearances, and finally by year of first appearance. In the "Season(s)" column, '''bold years''' indicate winning appearances.
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:1.00em; line-height:1.5em;"
!scope="col"|{{Abbr|Apps|Appearances}}
!scope="col"|Team
!scope="col"|Wins
!scope="col"|Losses
!scope="col"|Win %
!scope="col" class="unsortable"| Season(s)
|-
||25|| style="text-align:left;" |[[New York Yankees]]||15||10||{{winpct|15|10}}|| align="left" | '''[[1981 American League Division Series|1981]]''', [[1995 American League Division Series|1995]], '''[[1996 American League Division Series|1996]]''', [[1997 American League Division Series|1997]], '''[[1998 American League Division Series|1998]]''', '''[[1999 American League Division Series|1999]]''', '''[[2000 American League Division Series|2000]]''', '''[[2001 American League Division Series|2001]]''', [[2002 American League Division Series|2002]], '''[[2003 American League Division Series|2003]]''', '''[[2004 American League Division Series|2004]]''', [[2005 American League Division Series|2005]], [[2006 American League Division Series|2006]], [[2007 American League Division Series|2007]], '''[[2009 American League Division Series|2009]]''', '''[[2010 American League Division Series|2010]]''', [[2011 American League Division Series|2011]], '''[[2012 American League Division Series|2012]]''', '''[[2017 American League Division Series|2017]]''', [[2018 American League Division Series|2018]], '''[[2019 American League Division Series|2019]]''', [[2020 American League Division Series|2020]], '''[[2022 American League Division Series|2022]]''', '''[[2024 American League Division Series|2024]]''', [[2025 American League Division Series|2025]]
|-
||14|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Boston Red Sox]]||8||6||{{winpct|8|6}}|| align="left" | [[1995 American League Division Series|1995]], [[1998 American League Division Series|1998]], '''[[1999 American League Division Series|1999]]''', '''[[2003 American League Division Series|2003]]''', '''[[2004 American League Division Series|2004]]''', [[2005 American League Division Series|2005]], '''[[2007 American League Division Series|2007]]''', '''[[2008 American League Division Series|2008]]''', [[2009 American League Division Series|2009]], '''[[2013 American League Division Series|2013]]''', [[2016 American League Division Series|2016]], [[2017 American League Division Series|2017]], '''[[2018 American League Division Series|2018]]''', '''[[2021 American League Division Series|2021]]'''
|-
||8|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Houston Astros]]||7||1||{{winpct|7|1}}|| align="left" | [[2015 American League Division Series|2015]], '''[[2017 American League Division Series|2017]]''', '''[[2018 American League Division Series|2018]]''', '''[[2019 American League Division Series|2019]]''', '''[[2020 American League Division Series|2020]]''', '''[[2021 American League Division Series|2021]]''', '''[[2022 American League Division Series|2022]]''', '''[[2023 American League Division Series|2023]]'''
|-
||12|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Cleveland Guardians]]||6||6||{{winpct|6|6}}|| align="left" | '''[[1995 American League Division Series|1995]]''', [[1996 American League Division Series|1996]], '''[[1997 American League Division Series|1997]]''', '''[[1998 American League Division Series|1998]]''', [[1999 American League Division Series|1999]], [[2001 American League Division Series|2001]], '''[[2007 American League Division Series|2007]]''', '''[[2016 American League Division Series|2016]]''', [[2017 American League Division Series|2017]], [[2018 American League Division Series|2018]], [[2022 American League Division Series|2022]], '''[[2024 American League Division Series|2024]]'''
|-
||7|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Detroit Tigers]]||4||3||{{winpct|4|3}}|| align="left" | '''[[2006 American League Division Series|2006]]''', '''[[2011 American League Division Series|2011]]''', '''[[2012 American League Division Series|2012]]''', '''[[2013 American League Division Series|2013]]''', [[2014 American League Division Series|2014]], [[2024 American League Division Series|2024]], [[2025 American League Division Series|2025]]
|-
||8|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]]||3||5||{{winpct|3|5}}|| align="left" | [[1996 American League Division Series|1996]], [[1998 American League Division Series|1998]], [[1999 American League Division Series|1999]], '''[[2010 American League Division Series|2010]]''', '''[[2011 American League Division Series|2011]]''', [[2015 American League Division Series|2015]], [[2016 American League Division Series|2016]], '''[[2023 American League Division Series|2023]]'''
|-
||7|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Los Angeles Angels]]||3||4||{{winpct|3|4}}|| align="left" | '''[[2002 American League Division Series|2002]]''', [[2004 American League Division Series|2004]], '''[[2005 American League Division Series|2005]]''', [[2007 American League Division Series|2007]], [[2008 American League Division Series|2008]], '''[[2009 American League Division Series|2009]]''', [[2014 American League Division Series|2014]]
|-
||6|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Seattle Mariners]]||4||2||{{winpct|4|2}}|| align="left" | '''[[1995 American League Division Series|1995]]''', [[1997 American League Division Series|1997]], '''[[2000 American League Division Series|2000]]''', '''[[2001 American League Division Series|2001]]''', [[2022 American League Division Series|2022]], [[2025 American League Division Series|'''2025''']]
|-
||5|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Baltimore Orioles]]||3||2||{{winpct|3|2}}|| align="left" | '''[[1996 American League Division Series|1996]]''', '''[[1997 American League Division Series|1997]]''', [[2012 American League Division Series|2012]], '''[[2014 American League Division Series|2014]]''', [[2023 American League Division Series|2023]]
|-
||9|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Oakland Athletics|Athletics]]||2||7||{{winpct|2|7}}|| align="left" | '''[[1981 American League Division Series|1981]]''', [[2000 American League Division Series|2000]], [[2001 American League Division Series|2001]], [[2002 American League Division Series|2002]], [[2003 American League Division Series|2003]], '''[[2006 American League Division Series|2006]]''', [[2012 American League Division Series|2012]], [[2013 American League Division Series|2013]], [[2020 American League Division Series|2020]]
|-
||7|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Tampa Bay Rays]]||2||5||{{winpct|2|5}}|| align="left" | '''[[2008 American League Division Series|2008]]''', [[2010 American League Division Series|2010]], [[2011 American League Division Series|2011]], [[2013 American League Division Series|2013]], [[2019 American League Division Series|2019]], '''[[2020 American League Division Series|2020]]''', [[2021 American League Division Series|2021]]
|-
||4|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Kansas City Royals]]||2||2||{{winpct|2|2}}|| align="left" | [[1981 American League Division Series|1981]], '''[[2014 American League Division Series|2014]]''', '''[[2015 American League Division Series|2015]]''', [[2024 American League Division Series|2024]]
|-
||3|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Toronto Blue Jays]]||3||0||{{winpct|3|0}}|| align="left" | '''[[2015 American League Division Series|2015]]''', '''[[2016 American League Division Series|2016]]''', '''[[2025 American League Division Series|2025]]'''
|-
||8|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Minnesota Twins]]||1||7||{{winpct|1|7}}|| align="left" | '''[[2002 American League Division Series|2002]]''', [[2003 American League Division Series|2003]], [[2004 American League Division Series|2004]], [[2006 American League Division Series|2006]], [[2009 American League Division Series|2009]], [[2010 American League Division Series|2010]], [[2019 American League Division Series|2019]], [[2023 American League Division Series|2023]]
|-
||4|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Chicago White Sox]]||1||3||{{winpct|1|3}}|| align="left" | [[2000 American League Division Series|2000]], '''[[2005 American League Division Series|2005]]''', [[2008 American League Division Series|2008]], [[2021 American League Division Series|2021]]
|-
||1|| style="text-align:left;" |[[Milwaukee Brewers]]{{efn|name=MIL}} ||0||1||{{winpct|0|1}}|| align="left" | [[1981 American League Division Series|1981]]
|}

===Frequent matchups===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:1.00em; line-height:1.5em;"
|-
! Count
! Matchup
! Record
! Years
|-
|align="center"| 5
| [[New York Yankees]] vs. [[Minnesota Twins]]
| Yankees, 5–0
| [[2003 American League Division Series|2003]], [[2004 American League Division Series|2004]], [[2009 American League Division Series|2009]], [[2010 American League Division Series|2010]], [[2019 American League Division Series|2019]]
|-
|align="center"| 4
| [[Boston Red Sox]] vs. [[Los Angeles Angels]]
| Red Sox, 3–1
| [[2004 American League Division Series|2004]], [[2007 American League Division Series|2007]], [[2008 American League Division Series|2008]], [[2009 American League Division Series|2009]]
|-
|align="center"| 4
| [[Cleveland Guardians]] vs. [[Boston Red Sox]]
| Indians/Guardians, 3–1
| [[1995 American League Division Series|1995]], [[1998 American League Division Series|1998]], [[1999 American League Division Series|1999]], [[2016 American League Division Series|2016]]
|-
|align="center"| 4
| [[Cleveland Guardians]] vs. [[New York Yankees]]
| Tied, 2–2
| [[1997 American League Division Series|1997]], [[2007 American League Division Series|2007]], [[2017 American League Division Series|2017]], [[2022 American League Division Series|2022]]
|-
|align="center"| 3
| [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] vs. [[New York Yankees]]
| Yankees, 3–0
| [[1996 American League Division Series|1996]], [[1998 American League Division Series|1998]], [[1999 American League Division Series|1999]]
|-
|align="center"| 2
| [[New York Yankees]] vs. [[Oakland Athletics|Athletics]]
| Yankees, 2–0
| [[2000 American League Division Series|2000]], [[2001 American League Division Series|2001]]
|-
|align="center"| 2
| [[New York Yankees]] vs. [[Los Angeles Angels]]
| Angels, 2–0
| [[2002 American League Division Series|2002]], [[2005 American League Division Series|2005]]
|-
|align="center"| 2
| [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] vs. [[Tampa Bay Rays]]
| Rangers, 2–0
| [[2010 American League Division Series|2010]], [[2011 American League Division Series|2011]]
|-
|align="center"| 2
| [[Oakland Athletics|Athletics]] vs. [[Minnesota Twins]]
| Tied, 1–1
| [[2002 American League Division Series|2002]], [[2006 American League Division Series|2006]]
|-
|align="center"| 2
| [[Detroit Tigers]] vs. [[New York Yankees]]
| Tigers, 2–0
| [[2006 American League Division Series|2006]], [[2011 American League Division Series|2011]]
|-
|align="center"| 2
| [[Detroit Tigers]] vs. [[Oakland Athletics|Athletics]]
| Tigers, 2–0
| [[2012 American League Division Series|2012]], [[2013 American League Division Series|2013]]
|-
|align="center"| 2
| [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] vs. [[Toronto Blue Jays]]
| Blue Jays, 2–0
| [[2015 American League Division Series|2015]], [[2016 American League Division Series|2016]]
|-
|align="center"| [[Rays–Red Sox rivalry|2]]
| [[Boston Red Sox]] vs. [[Tampa Bay Rays]]
| Red Sox, 2–0
| [[2013 American League Division Series|2013]], [[2021 American League Division Series|2021]]
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Baseball|United States}}
<!-- Please keep entries in alphabetical order & add a short description [[WP:SEEALSO]] -->
*[[National League Division Series]] (NLDS)
*[[List of American League pennant winners]]
*[[List of National League pennant winners]]
*[[List of World Series champions]]
*[[Major League Baseball division winners|MLB division winners]]
*[[Major League Baseball postseason|MLB postseason]]
<!-- please keep entries in alphabetical order -->

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/ Baseball-Reference.com] - annual playoffs
*[http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/postseason/mlb_ds.jsp MLB.com] - MLB's Division Series historical reference - box scores, highlights, etc.

{{MLB}}
{{ALDS}}
{{American League}}

[[Category:American League Division Series| ]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1994]]
[[Category:Annual events in Major League Baseball]]