In 1994, Major League Baseball restructured the American League into three divisions. This resulted in a change of format for the playoffs, and the introduction of a new round, prior to the
ALCS. In this round, the Divisional Series (ALDS), the three division winners and a wild-card team compete in two best-of-five series. The winners then advance to the best-of-seven ALCS.
Unlike the ALCS, no MVP award is given for ALDS play.