Second round of the American League's playoffs, and usually called the ALCS, this seven-game series features the winners of the two American League Divisional Series in a matchup determining who gets to face the winner of the NLCS in the World Series.

This series has been contested since 1969, with the exception of 1994 when there was no postseason because of a work stoppage. Before 1994, and except for 1981, the series was a meeting of the winners of the two American League divisions.