Phillies-Rockies preview: Planting seeds

Getting the No. 1 overall seed is not necessarily a clear path to the World Series, especially in the National League lately. Here's a look at each league's World Series representative since the playoffs expanded to four teams in 1995:

NLCS winner

2007 4-Rockies#

2006 3-Cardinals*

2005 4-Astros

2004 1-Cardinals

2003 4-Marlins*

2002 4-Giants

2001 2-Diamondbacks*

2000 4-Mets

1999 1-Braves

1998 3-Padres

1997 4-Marlins*

1996 1-Braves

1995 1-Braves*

* - World Series winner.

ALCS winner

2007 1-Red Sox*

2006 4-Tigers

2005 1-White Sox*

2004 4-Red Sox*

2003 1-Yankees

2002 4-Angels*

2001 2-Yankees

2000 3-Yankees*

1999 Yankees*

1998 1-Yankees*

1997 3-Indians

1996 2-Yankees*

1995 1-Indians

* - World Series winner.

LCS Winners By Seed

1-seed 4

2-seed 2

3-seed 2

4-seed 6

AMERICAN LEAGUE

1-seed 6

2-seed 3

3-seed 2

4-seed 3

2009 playoff seeds

1. Dodgers

2. Phillies

3. Cardinals

4. Rockies

AMERICAN LEAGUE

1. Yankees

2. Angels

3. Twins

4. Red Sox