From 2012 to 2021, the wild card team that advances to the Division Series was to face the number 1 seed, regardless whether or not they are in the same division. The two series winners move on to the best-of-seven NLCS.
Between 2012 and 2021, the wild card team that reached the Division Series had to play the top seed in the playoffs, regardless of which division they were in. The winners of each series would then compete in a best-of-seven NLCS.