National League (division)

The National League is one of the two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in North America. Within the National League, teams are further organized into three divisions: the National League East, the National League Central, and the National League West.

Each division consists of five teams, although this number has fluctuated historically due to expansion and realignment. The divisions are primarily determined by geographic location, aiming to minimize travel for teams and enhance regional rivalries.

At the end of the regular season, the team with the best record in each division automatically qualifies for the MLB playoffs. In addition to the division winners, a select number of "Wild Card" teams from the National League, determined by their overall record regardless of division affiliation, also advance to the playoffs.

The specific teams composing each division are subject to change by MLB, often to balance the number of teams in each division or to address competitive imbalance. The structure and composition of the National League divisions are integral to determining playoff eligibility and the overall competitive landscape of MLB.