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The American League Championship Series serves as the second MLB playoff round and determines the winner of the AL pennant. The AL champs following the series move on to face the National League Champions in the World Series. Since the development of this post-season round in 1969, every team aside from the Texas Rangers has made at least one appearance.
Both the ALCS and NLCS showcase a best-of-seven series in a 2-3-2 format since expanding the rounds in 1985. Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 if necessary are annually played at the higher seeds ball field with all other games hosted by the contenders. In 2008 the '07 World Champion Boston Red Sox found themselves back in the playoffs, but this time fell short to the Tampa Bay Rays in seven games. This memorable series marked the Rays first ever pennant in their first ever postseason trip.
2009 featured the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels. Both clubs swept their respective opponents (Red Sox, Twins) in the ALDS on their way to fight for AL Championship rights. The Yankees eventually took the pennant after defeating LA in Game 6 at Yankee Stadium.
