Pennant race! ALCS and NLCS matchups, schedule and how to watch

It's time for October's final four.

The League Championship Series in the Major League Baseball playoffs is now underway.

The New York Mets were the first to advance to the LCS, winning their Division Series matchup over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday. They're facing the top-seeded Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series.

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In the American League, the New York Yankees eliminated the Kansas City Royals to advance. They're taking on the Cleveland Guardians, which edged the Detroit Tigers in a decisive Division Series Game 5.

Now comes the pennant race finales. Here's how to watch the ALCS and NLCS.

How many games are in the ALCS, NLCS?

The Championship Series features a best-of-seven format where the higher seed has home-field advantage for Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, 6 and 7.

What is the NLCS schedule?

Here's a full look at the National League Championship Series schedule (* = if necessary):

No. 1 Los Angeles Dodgers vs. No. 6 New York Mets

Game 1: Dodgers 9, Mets 0
Game 2: Mets 7, Dodgers 3
Game 3: Dodgers at Mets, Oct. 16, 8:08 p.m. ET
Game 4: Dodgers at Mets, Oct. 17, 8:08 p.m. ET
Game 5: Dodgers at Mets, Oct. 18, 5:08 p.m. ET
Game 6*: Mets at Dodgers, Oct. 20, 8:08 p.m. ET
Game 7*: Mets at Dodgers, Oct. 21, 8:08 p.m. ET

What is the ALCS schedule?

Here's a full look at the American League Championship Series schedule (* = if necessary):

No. 1 New York Yankees vs. No. 2 Cleveland Guardians

Game 1: Yankees 5, Guardians 2
Game 2: Yankees 6, Guardians 3
Game 3: Yankees at Guardians, Oct. 17, 5:08 p.m. ET
Game 4: Yankees at Guardians, Oct. 18, 8:08 p.m. ET
Game 5*: Yankees at Guardians, Oct. 19, 8:08 p.m. ET
Game 6*: Guardians at Yankees, Oct. 21, 5:08 p.m. ET (7:38 p.m. ET if the NLCS is complete)
Game 7*: Guardians at Yankees, Oct. 22, 7:38 p.m. ET

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi breaks down the impressive seasons of the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani and Yankees’ Aaron Judge and how they rank in MLB history.