The Angels knocked off the four-time defending American League champion Yankees in four games to reach the ALCS for the first time since 1986.
The Yankees unsurprisingly took Game 1, as they prevailed in an offensive slugfest by an 8–5 score thanks to home runs from Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi, Rondell White, and Bernie Williams respectively.
Game 2 was yet another offensive showdown between both teams, however the Angels would narrowly emerge victorious by an 8–6 score, thanks to home runs from Tim Salmon, Scott Spiezio, Garret Anderson, and Troy Glaus respectively.
In Game 5, the Twins held off a late rally by the Athletics in the bottom of the ninth to win 5–4, and advance to the ALCS.
Russ Ortiz out-dueled Atlanta's Kevin Millwood as the Giants won the series with a 3–1 victory.
The Cardinals swept the defending World Series champion Diamondbacks to advance to the NLCS for the second time in three years.
In Phoenix for Game 1, things got ugly for the Diamondbacks fast, as St. Louis' Matt Morris outdueled Cy Young winner Randy Johnson in a 12–2 blowout win for the Cardinals.
In Game 2, the Cardinals held off a potential rally by the Diamondbacks to win 2–1, thanks to stellar pitching from relief pitcher Jason Isringhausen.
After three previous failed attempts, the Angels finally broke through, as they defeated the Twins in five games to advance to the World Series for the first time in franchise history (in the process denying a rematch of the 1933 World Series between the Giants and Twins (who were then known as the Washington Senators)).
Minnesota's Joe Mays out-dueled Anaheim's Kevin Appier in a tight Twins' victory in Game 1.
In Game 2, the Angels jumped out to a big lead early thanks to home runs from Darin Erstad and Brad Fullmer and held on to win 6–3 to even the series headed to Anaheim.
Troy Glaus led the Angels to victory in Game 3 with a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth.
After the series loss, the Twins would go on to win the American League Central in three of the next four seasons, although they would lose in the ALDS each time.
In Game 3, the Cardinals staved off a sweep thanks to a solo home run from Eli Marrero in the sixth inning which put them ahead for good.
The Cardinals attempted to tie the series with a late rally in Game 4, but Giants closer Robb Nen struck out Albert Pujols and J.D.
The Giants would win their next NL pennant in 2010, against the Philadelphia Phillies in six games en route to a World Series victory.
The Cardinals returned to the NLCS in 2004, where they defeated the Houston Astros in seven games before falling in the World Series to the Boston Red Sox.
After the season, ABC Family's rights for selected Division Series games were transferred to ESPN proper.