The National League, or NL, was created in 1876. As of 1884, it had eight teams:
- Chicago Cubs (1876)
- Atlanta Braves (1876)
- Cincinnati Reds (1882)
- St. Louis Cardinals (1882)
- Pittsburgh Pirates (1882)
- San Francisco Giants (1883)
- Philadelphia Phillies (1883)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (1884)
It currently has sixteen teams:
| East | Central | West |
| New York Mets | Chicago Cubs | Arizona Diamondbacks |
| Philadelphia Philies | Pittsburgh Pirates | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Florida Marlins | Cincinnati Reds | San Diego Padres |
| Atlanta Braves | St. Louis Cardinals | San Francisco Giants |
| Washington Nationals | Houston Astros | Colorado Rockies |
| Milwaukee Brewers |