The 1995 American League Division Series (ALDS), the opening round of the 1995 American League playoffs, began on Tuesday, October 3, and ended on Sunday, October 8, with the champions of the three AL divisions—along with a "wild card" team—participating in two best-of-five series. As a result of both leagues realigning into three divisions in 1994, it marked the first time in major league history that a team could qualify for postseason play without finishing in first place in its league or division. The teams were:
- (1) Seattle Mariners (Western Division champion, 79–66) vs. (4) New York Yankees (Wild Card, 79–65): Mariners win series, 3–2.
- (2) Boston Red Sox (Eastern Division champion, 86–58) vs. (3) Cleveland Indians (Central Division champion, 100–44): Indians win series, 3–0.
The higher seed (in parentheses) had the home field advantage, which was not tied to playing record but was predetermined—a highly unpopular arrangement which was discontinued after the 1997 playoffs. Also, the team with home field "advantage" was required to play the first two games on the road, with potentially the last three at home, in order to reduce travel. The Red Sox played the Indians, rather than the wild card Yankees, because the Red Sox and Yankees are in the same division. Had the 1995 ALDS been played under the post-1997 arrangement, then Cleveland (1) would've played against New York (4) and Boston (2) would've faced Seattle (3).
Because of realignment, this was the first time that both the Yankees and the Red Sox reached the playoffs in the same year.
The Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians went on to meet in the AL Championship Series (ALCS). The Indians became the American League champion, and lost to the National League champion Atlanta Braves in the 1995 World Series.
Read more about 1995 American League Division Series: Seattle Vs. New York
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