View source for National League Central

{{short description|Division of Major League Baseball}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{infobox sports division
| title           = National League Central
| league          = [[National League (baseball)|National League]]
| sport           = [[Major League Baseball]]
| founded         = {{mlby|1994}}
| teams           = 5
| champion        = [[Milwaukee Brewers]]<br>(2024; 5th title)
| most_champs     = [[St. Louis Cardinals]] (12)
}}

{{OSM Location map        
| coord = {{coord|40.825|-85.099}}
| zoom = 5
| width = 300
| height = 300
| caption = National League Central Teams Location
| mark1 = Red pog.svg
| label1 = Cardinals
| mark-coord1 = {{coord|38.62269|-90.19275}}
| label-pos1 = top
| label-color1 = black
| mark2 = Blue pog.svg
| label2 = Cubs
| mark-coord2 = {{coord|41.94841|-87.65537}} 
| label-pos2 = top
| label-color2 = black
| mark3 = Gold pog.svg
| label3 = Brewers
| mark-coord3 = {{coord|43.02812|-87.97112}}
| label-pos3 = top
| label-color3 = black
| mark4 = Yellow pog.svg
| label4 = Pirates
| mark-coord4 = {{coord|40.44683|-80.00557}}
| label-pos4 = top
| label-color4 = black
| mark5 = Red pog.svg
| label5 = Reds
| mark-coord5 = {{coord|39.09721|-84.50653}}
| label-pos5 = bottom
| label-color5 = black
}}

The '''National League Central''' is one of [[Major League Baseball]]'s six divisions. This division was created in 1994, by moving two teams from the [[National League West]] (the [[Cincinnati Reds]] and the [[Houston Astros]]) and three teams from the [[National League East]] (the [[Chicago Cubs]], the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], and the [[St. Louis Cardinals]]).

When the division was created in 1994, the Pirates were originally supposed to stay in the East while the [[Atlanta Braves]] were to be moved to the Central from the West. However, the Braves, wanting to form a natural rivalry with the expansion [[Florida Marlins]], requested to remain in the East. Despite the Marlins offering to go to the Central, the Pirates instead gave up their spot in the East to the Braves.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/16/sports/baseball-pirates-relent-on-new-alignment.html?pagewanted=print|title=BASEBALL; Pirates Relent on New Alignment|first=Murray|last=Chass|website=nytimes.com|access-date=May 7, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824094121/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/16/sports/baseball-pirates-relent-on-new-alignment.html?pagewanted=print|archive-date=August 24, 2017}}</ref> Since then, the Pirates have tried several times unsuccessfully to be placed back in the East.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/pirates/s_742330.html#axzz2YtXG2iD2|title=Starkey: Pirates in American League' Yes!|date=June 16, 2011|work=TribLIVE.com|access-date=October 1, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006101149/http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/pirates/s_742330.html#axzz2YtXG2iD2|archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Starkey |first=Joe |date=June 16, 2011 |title=Starkey: Pirates in American League? Yes! |url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/starkey-pirates-in-american-league-yes/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=www.tribliveoffers.com}}</ref>

In 1998, the NL Central became the largest division in Major League Baseball when the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] were moved in from the [[American League Central]], which gave them six teams.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=New York Times News |date=1997-11-06 |title=BREWERS TO PLAY IN NL |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/11/06/brewers-to-play-in-nl/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Newhan |first=Ross |date=1998-03-08 |title=Brewers Gain a National Following |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-08-sp-26912-story.html |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Holtzman |first=Jerome |date=1997-11-07 |title=BREWERS’ MOVE TO NL TAKES THEM BACK TO THEIR LEAGUE OF GLORY |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/11/07/brewers-move-to-nl-takes-them-back-to-their-league-of-glory/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>  In 2013, the Astros moved to the [[American League West]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=José |first=Roberto |last2=Franco |first2=Andrade |date=2023-10-18 |title=How Astros-Rangers rivalry defines the state of Texas |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38683444/alcs-playoffs-houston-astros-texas-rangers-rivalry |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barzilla |first=Scott |title=Houston Astros: How To Build a Rivalry with the Texas Rangers |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/969584-houston-astros-how-to-build-a-rivalry-with-the-texas-rangers |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref>

This division has been dominated by the Cardinals, who have accounted for 12 of the 26 division championships, plus three wild card wins.  Aside from the Cardinals, the Cubs have the second most division championships with six, as well as three wild card wins. The Brewers have five divisional championships, with two wild card wins. The Astros had four division titles and two wild card wins. The Reds have three division titles, along with one wild card win. The Pirates have not won the division since the division was created, but possess three wild card appearances. The 2013 win was the Pirates’ first playoff berth since 1992.

==Division membership==
===Current members===
*[[Chicago Cubs]] – Founding member; formerly of the NL East
*[[Cincinnati Reds]] – Founding member; formerly of the NL West
*[[Milwaukee Brewers]] – Since 1998; formerly of the AL West, AL East, AL Central
*[[Pittsburgh Pirates]] – Founding member; formerly of the NL East
*[[St. Louis Cardinals]] – Founding member; formerly of the NL East

===Former member===
*[[Houston Astros]] – Founding member; formerly of the NL West; moved to the [[American League West|AL West]] in 2013

===Membership timeline===

'''Place cursor over year for division champ or World Series team.'''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="32" style="text-align:center; font-size:125%; background:#DEB887;" | NL Central Division{{ref label|NL Central|A|A}}
|-
! colspan="32" style="text-align:center;" | Years
|-
! ''[[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|94]]''
! ''[[1995 Cincinnati Reds season|95]]''
! ''[[1996 St. Louis Cardinals season|96]]''
! ''[[1997 Houston Astros season|97]]''
! ''[[1998 Houston Astros season|98]]''
! ''[[1999 Houston Astros season|99]]''
! ''[[2000 St. Louis Cardinals season|00]]''
! ''[[2001 Houston Astros season|01]]''
! ''[[2002 St. Louis Cardinals season|02]]''
! ''[[2003 Chicago Cubs season|03]]''
! style="background:#ffe87c;"|''[[2004 St. Louis Cardinals season|04]]''
! style="background:#ffe87c;"|''[[2005 Houston Astros season|05]]''
! style="background:#00ff00;"|''[[2006 St. Louis Cardinals season|06]]''
! ''[[2007 Chicago Cubs season|07]]''
! ''[[2008 Chicago Cubs season|08]]''
! ''[[2009 St. Louis Cardinals season|09]]''
! ''[[2010 Cincinnati Reds season|10]]''
! style="background:#00ff00;"|''[[2011 St. Louis Cardinals season|11]]''
! ''[[2012 Cincinnati Reds season|12]]''
! style="background:#ffe87c;"|''[[2013 St. Louis Cardinals season|13]]''
! ''[[2014 St. Louis Cardinals season|14]]''
! ''[[2015 St. Louis Cardinals season|15]]''
! style="background:#00ff00;"|''[[2016 Chicago Cubs season|16]]''
! ''[[2017 Chicago Cubs season|17]]''
! ''[[2018 Milwaukee Brewers season|18]]''
! ''[[2019 St. Louis Cardinals season|19]]''
! ''[[2020 Chicago Cubs season|20]]''
! ''[[2021 Milwaukee Brewers season|21]]''
! ''[[2022 St. Louis Cardinals season|22]]''
! ''[[2023 Milwaukee Brewers season|23]]''
! ''[[2024 Milwaukee Brewers season|24]]''
! ''[[2025 Major League Baseball season|25]]''
|-
| colspan="32" style="background:lightgrey; height:.5px;" |
|-
| colspan="32" | [[Chicago Cubs]]
|-
| colspan="32" | [[Cincinnati Reds]]
|-
| colspan="19" | [[Houston Astros]]{{ref label|HOU|C|C}}
| colspan="13" style="background:lightgrey;" | &nbsp;
|-
| colspan="32" | [[St. Louis Cardinals]]
|-
| colspan="32" | [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:lightgrey;"| &nbsp;
| colspan="28" | [[Milwaukee Brewers]]{{ref label|MIL|B|B}}
|-
! colspan="32" style="background:#fff; height:15px; font-size:75%;" | {{color box|lightgrey}} Team not in division {{color box|#00ff00}} Division Won World Series {{color box|#FFE87C}} Division Won NL Championship
|}
:{{note label|NL Central|A|A}} Creation of division due to the 1994 realignment into three divisions (with Chicago, Pittsburgh and St. Louis from NL East, and Cincinnati and Houston from NL West)
:{{note label|MIL|B|B}} Milwaukee switched leagues due to the 1998 expansion, moving in from [[American League Central|AL Central]]
:{{note label|HOU|C|C}} Houston switched leagues after the 2012 season, and joined the [[American League West|AL West]]

==Champions by year==

*''Team names link to the season in which each team played''

{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Winner
!Record
!Win%
!Playoff Results
|-
|-
|{{mlby|1994}}§
|colspan=4 align=center|''No playoffs due to [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike]]''
|-
|1995
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Cincinnati Reds|1}} | '''[[1995 Cincinnati Reds season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Cincinnati Reds|2}}">Cincinnati Reds (1)</span>]]'''
|85–59
|.590
|'''Won''' [[1995 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[1995 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]]) 3–0<br/>Lost [[1995 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[1995 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]]) 4–0
|-
|1996
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[1996 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals (1)</span>]]'''
|88–74
|.543
|'''Won''' [[1996 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[1996 San Diego Padres season|Padres]]) 3–0<br/>Lost [[1996 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[1996 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]]) 4–3
|-
|1997
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Houston Astros 1994thru1999|1}} | '''[[1997 Houston Astros season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Houston Astros 1994thru1999|3}}">Houston Astros (1)</span>]]'''
|84–78
|.519
|Lost [[1997 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[1997 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]]) 3–0
|-
|1998
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Houston Astros 1994thru1999|1}} | '''[[1998 Houston Astros season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Houston Astros 1994thru1999|3}}">Houston Astros (2)</span>]]'''
|102–60
|.630
|Lost [[1998 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[1998 San Diego Padres season|Padres]]) 3–1
|-
|1999
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Houston Astros 1994thru1999|1}} | '''[[1999 Houston Astros season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Houston Astros 1994thru1999|3}}">Houston Astros (3)</span>]]'''
|97–65
|.599
|Lost [[1999 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[1999 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]]) 3–1
|-
|2000
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[2000 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals (2)</span>]]'''
|95–67
|.586
|'''Won''' [[2000 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2000 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]]) 3–0<br/>Lost [[2000 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2000 New York Mets season|Mets]]) 4–1
|-
|2001*
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Houston Astros 2000thru2012|1}} | '''[[2001 Houston Astros season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Houston Astros 2000thru2012|3}}">Houston Astros (4)</span>]]'''
|93–69 
|.574
|Lost  [[2001 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2001 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]]) 3–0
|-
|2002
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[2002 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals (3)</span>]]'''
|97–65
|.599
|'''Won''' [[2002 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2002 Arizona Diamondbacks season|Diamondbacks]]) 3–0<br/>Lost [[2002 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2002 San Francisco Giants season|Giants]]) 4–1
|-
|2003
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|1}} | '''[[2003 Chicago Cubs season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|3}}">Chicago Cubs (1)</span>]]'''
|88–74
|.543
|'''Won''' [[2003 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2003 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]]) 3–2<br/>Lost [[2003 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2003 Florida Marlins season|Marlins]]) 4–3
|- 
|2004
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[2004 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals (4)</span>]]'''
|105–57
|.648
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" | '''Won''' [[2004 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2004 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]]) 3–1<br/>'''Won''' [[2004 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2004 Houston Astros season|Astros]]) 4–3<br/>Lost [[2004 World Series|World Series]] ([[2004 Boston Red Sox season|Red Sox]]) 4–0
|-
|2005
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[2005 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals (5)</span>]]'''
|100–62
|.617
|'''Won''' [[2005 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2005 San Diego Padres season|Padres]]) 3–0<br/>Lost [[2005 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2005 Houston Astros season|Astros]]) 4–2
|- 
|2006
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[2006 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals (6)</span>]]''' 
|83–78
|.516
| bgcolor="#ffcccc" | '''Won''' [[2006 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2006 San Diego Padres season|Padres]]) 3–1<br/>'''Won''' [[2006 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2006 New York Mets season|Mets]]) 4–3<br/>'''Won [[2006 World Series|World Series]]''' ([[2006 Detroit Tigers season|Tigers]]) 4–1
|-
|2007
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|1}} | '''[[2007 Chicago Cubs season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|3}}">Chicago Cubs (2)</span>]]'''
|85–77
|.525
|Lost [[2007 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2007 Arizona Diamondbacks season|Diamondbacks]]) 3–0
|-
|2008
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|1}} | '''[[2008 Chicago Cubs season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|3}}">Chicago Cubs (3)</span>]]'''
|97–64
|.602
|Lost [[2008 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2008 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]]) 3–0
|-
|2009
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[2009 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals (7)</span>]]'''
|91–71
|.562
|Lost [[2009 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2009 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]]) 3–0
|-
|2010
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Cincinnati Reds|1}} | '''[[2010 Cincinnati Reds season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Cincinnati Reds|2}}">Cincinnati Reds (2)</span>]]'''
|91–71
|.562
|Lost [[2010 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2010 Philadelphia Phillies season|Phillies]]) 3–0
|-
|2011
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Milwaukee Brewers|1}} | '''[[2011 Milwaukee Brewers season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Milwaukee Brewers|3}}">Milwaukee Brewers (1)</span>]]'''
|96–66
|.593
|'''Won''' [[2011 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2011 Arizona Diamondbacks season|Diamondbacks]]) 3–2<br/>Lost [[2011 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2011 St. Louis Cardinals season|Cardinals]]) 4–2
|-
|2012
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Cincinnati Reds|1}} | '''[[2012 Cincinnati Reds season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Cincinnati Reds|2}}">Cincinnati Reds (3)</span>]]'''
|97–65
|.599
||Lost [[2012 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2012 San Francisco Giants season|Giants]]) 3–2
|- 
|2013
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[2013 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals (8)</span>]]'''
|97–65
|.599
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" | '''Won''' [[2013 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2013 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pirates]]) 3–2<br/>'''Won''' [[2013 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2013 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]]) 4–2<br/>Lost [[2013 World Series|World Series]] ([[2013 Boston Red Sox season|Red Sox]]) 4–2
|-
|2014
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[2014 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals (9)</span>]]'''
|90–72
|.556
|'''Won''' [[2014 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2014 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]]) 3–1<br/>Lost [[2014 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2014 San Francisco Giants season|Giants]]) 4–1
|-
|2015
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[2015 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals (10)</span>]]'''
|100–62
|.617
|Lost [[2015 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2015 Chicago Cubs season|Cubs]]) 3–1
|- 
|2016
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|1}} | '''[[2016 Chicago Cubs season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|3}}">Chicago Cubs (4)</span>]]'''
|103–58
|.640
| bgcolor="#ffcccc" | '''Won''' [[2016 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2016 San Francisco Giants season|Giants]]) 3–1<br/>'''Won''' [[2016 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2016 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]]) 4–2<br/>'''Won [[2016 World Series|World Series]]''' ([[2016 Cleveland Indians season|Indians]]) 4–3
|-
|2017
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|1}} | '''[[2017 Chicago Cubs season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|3}}">Chicago Cubs (5)</span>]]'''
|92–70
|.568
|'''Won''' [[2017 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2017 Washington Nationals season|Nationals]]) 3–2<br/>Lost [[2017 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2017 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]]) 4–1
|-
|2018
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Milwaukee Brewers|1}} | '''[[2018 Milwaukee Brewers season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Milwaukee Brewers|3}}">Milwaukee Brewers (2)</span>]]'''
|96–67
|.589
|'''Won''' [[2018 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2018 Colorado Rockies season|Rockies]]) 3–0<br/>Lost [[2018 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2018 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]]) 4–3
|-
|2019
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[2019 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals (11)</span>]]'''
|91–71
|.562
|'''Won''' [[2019 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2019 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]]) 3–2<br/>Lost [[2019 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2019 Washington Nationals season|Nationals]]) 4–0
|-
|2020†
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|1}} | '''[[2020 Chicago Cubs season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|3}}">Chicago Cubs (6)</span>]]'''
|34–26
|.567
|Lost [[2020 National League Wild Card Series|NLWC]] ([[2020 Miami Marlins season|Marlins]]) 2–0
|-
|2021
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Milwaukee Brewers|1}} | '''[[2021 Milwaukee Brewers season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Milwaukee Brewers|3}}">Milwaukee Brewers (3)</span>]]'''
|95–67
|.586
| Lost [[2021 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2021 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]]) 3–1
|-
|2022
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[2022 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals (12)</span>]]'''
|93–69
|.574
|Lost [[2022 National League Wild Card Series|NLWC]] ([[2022 Philadelphia Phillies season|Phillies]]) 2–0
|-
|2023
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Milwaukee Brewers|1}} | '''[[2023 Milwaukee Brewers season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Milwaukee Brewers|3}}">Milwaukee Brewers (4)</span>]]'''
|92–70
|.568
| Lost [[2023 National League Wild Card Series|NLWC]] ([[2023 Arizona Diamondbacks season|Diamondbacks]]) 2–0
|-
|2024
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Milwaukee Brewers|1}} | '''[[2024 Milwaukee Brewers season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Milwaukee Brewers|3}}">Milwaukee Brewers (5)</span>]]'''
| 93–69
| .574
| Lost [[2024 National League Wild Card Series|NLWC]] ([[2024 New York Mets season|Mets]]) 2–1
|}
<nowiki>§</nowiki> – Due to the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike]] on August 12, no official winner was awarded. [[1994 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] was leading by half a game over [[1994 Houston Astros season|Houston]] at the time of the strike.

<nowiki>*</nowiki> – The Astros and Cardinals finished with identical regular season records. Because the Astros won the season series 9–7 against the Cardinals, they were awarded the National League Central division title, and the Cardinals were declared the National League Wild Card team.

† – Due to the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports|COVID-19 pandemic]], the season was shortened to 60 games. By virtue of the eight-team postseason format used for that season, division runner-up [[2020 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (30–28, .517) also automatically qualified for the playoffs.

==Other postseason teams==
{{further information|List of National League Wild Card winners}}
The wild card was introduced in 1994 and was initially assigned to the team with the best record in each league that did not win its division. The first year of implementation was 1995 as a player strike prematurely ended the 1994 season. Since implementation, each of the NL Central teams has won the wild card. In 2012, a second wild card was added to post-season play, and in 2022, a third was also added.

{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Winner
!Record
!%
!GB
!Playoff Results
|-
|1998
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|1}} | '''[[1998 Chicago Cubs season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|3}}">Chicago Cubs*</span>]]'''
|90–73
|.552
|12.5
|Lost [[1998 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[1998 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]]) 3–0
|-
|2001
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[2001 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals†</span>]]'''
|93–69
|.574
|0
|Lost [[2001 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2001 Arizona Diamondbacks season|Diamondbacks]]) 3–2
|-
|2004
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Houston Astros 2000thru2012|1}} | '''[[2004 Houston Astros season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Houston Astros 2000thru2012|3}}">Houston Astros</span>]]'''
|92–70
|.568
|13
|'''Won''' [[2004 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2004 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]]) 3–2<br/>Lost [[2004 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2004 St. Louis Cardinals season|Cardinals]]) 4–3
|- 
|2005
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Houston Astros 2000thru2012|1}} | '''[[2005 Houston Astros season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Houston Astros 2000thru2012|3}}">Houston Astros</span>]]'''
|89–73
|.549
|11
| bgcolor="#ddffdd" | '''Won''' [[2005 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2005 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]]) 3–1<br/>'''Won''' [[2005 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2005 St. Louis Cardinals season|Cardinals]]) 4–2<br/>Lost [[2005 World Series|World Series]] ([[2005 Chicago White Sox season|White Sox]]) 4–0
|-
|2008
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Milwaukee Brewers|1}} | '''[[2008 Milwaukee Brewers season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Milwaukee Brewers|3}}">Milwaukee Brewers</span>]]'''
|90–72
|.556
|7.5
|Lost [[2008 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2008 Philadelphia Phillies season|Phillies]]) 3–1
|- 
|2011
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[2011 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals</span>]]'''
|90–72
|.556
|6
| bgcolor="#ffcccc" | '''Won''' [[2011 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2011 Philadelphia Phillies season|Phillies]]) 3–2<br/>'''Won''' [[2011 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2011 Milwaukee Brewers season|Brewers]]) 4–2<br/>'''Won [[2011 World Series|World Series]]''' ([[2011 Texas Rangers season|Rangers]]) 4–3
|-
|2012
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[2012 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals**</span>]]'''
|88–74
|.543
|9
|'''Won''' [[2012 National League Wild Card Game|NLWC]] ([[2012 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]])<br/>'''Won''' [[2012 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2012 Washington Nationals season|Nationals]]) 3–2<br/>Lost [[2012 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2012 San Francisco Giants season|Giants]]) 4–3
|-
|rowspan=2|2013
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Pittsburgh Pirates|1}} | '''[[2013 Pittsburgh Pirates season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Pittsburgh Pirates|3}}">Pittsburgh Pirates**</span>]]'''
|94–68
|.580
|3
|'''Won''' [[2013 National League Wild Card Game|NLWC]] ([[2013 Cincinnati Reds season|Reds]])<br/>Lost [[2013 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2013 St. Louis Cardinals season|Cardinals]]) 3–2
|-
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Cincinnati Reds|1}} | '''[[2013 Cincinnati Reds season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Cincinnati Reds|2}}">Cincinnati Reds**</span>]]'''
|90–72
|.556
|7
|Lost [[2013 National League Wild Card Game|NLWC]] ([[2013 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pirates]])
|-
|2014
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Pittsburgh Pirates|1}} | '''[[2014 Pittsburgh Pirates season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Pittsburgh Pirates|3}}">Pittsburgh Pirates**</span>]]'''
|88–74
|.543
|2
|Lost [[2014 National League Wild Card Game|NLWC]] ([[2014 San Francisco Giants season|Giants]])
|-
|rowspan=2|2015
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Pittsburgh Pirates|1}} | '''[[2015 Pittsburgh Pirates season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Pittsburgh Pirates|3}}">Pittsburgh Pirates**</span>]]'''
|98–64
|.605
|2
|Lost [[2015 National League Wild Card Game|NLWC]] ([[2015 Chicago Cubs season|Cubs]])
|-
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|1}} | '''[[2015 Chicago Cubs season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|3}}">Chicago Cubs**</span>]]'''
|97–65
|.599
|3
|'''Won''' [[2015 National League Wild Card Game|NLWC]] ([[2015 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pirates]])<br/>'''Won''' [[2015 National League Division Series|NLDS]] ([[2015 St. Louis Cardinals season|Cardinals]]) 3–1<br/>Lost [[2015 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] ([[2015 New York Mets season|Mets]]) 4–0
|-
|2018
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|1}} | '''[[2018 Chicago Cubs season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Chicago Cubs|3}}">Chicago Cubs**</span>]]'''
|95–68
|.583
|1
|Lost [[2018 National League Wild Card Game|NLWC]] ([[2018 Colorado Rockies season|Rockies]])
|-
|2019
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Milwaukee Brewers|1}} | '''[[2019 Milwaukee Brewers season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Milwaukee Brewers|3}}">Milwaukee Brewers**</span>]]'''
|89–73
|.549
|2
|Lost [[2019 National League Wild Card Game|NLWC]] ([[2019 Washington Nationals season|Nationals]]) 
|-
|rowspan=3|2020†† 
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[2020 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals**</span>]]'''
|30–28
|.517
|3
|Lost [[2020 National League Wild Card Series|NLWC]] ([[2020 San Diego Padres season|Padres]]) 2–1
|-
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Cincinnati Reds|1}} | '''[[2020 Cincinnati Reds season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Cincinnati Reds|2}}">Cincinnati Reds**</span>]]'''
|31–29
|.517
|3
|Lost [[2020 National League Wild Card Series|NLWC]] ([[2020 Atlanta Braves season|Braves]]) 2–0
|-
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|Milwaukee Brewers|1}} | '''[[2020 Milwaukee Brewers season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|Milwaukee Brewers|3}}">Milwaukee Brewers** ***</span>]]'''
|29–31
|.483
|5
|Lost [[2020 National League Wild Card Series|NLWC]] ([[2020 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]]) 2–0
|- 
|2021
|bgcolor="#{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|1}} | '''[[2021 St. Louis Cardinals season|<span style="color: #{{Baseball color|St. Louis Cardinals|2}}">St. Louis Cardinals**</span>]]'''
|90–72
|.556
|5
|Lost [[2021 National League Wild Card Game|NLWC]] ([[2021 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]])
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki> – Defeated the [[1998 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]] in a [[One-game playoff|one game playoff]] for the Wild Card, 5–3.

<nowiki>†</nowiki> – Finished with the same record as the [[2001 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]], but Houston won the season series vs. the Cardinals that year, and were given the higher seed in the playoffs.

<nowiki>**</nowiki> –  From 2012 to 2019, and in 2021, the Wild Card was expanded to two teams. Those teams faced each other in the [[Major League Baseball Wild Card Game|Wild Card Game]] to determine the final participant in the [[National League Division Series]]. In 2020 only, eight teams, including the three division winners, played in a best-of-three Wild Card Series, with the winners advancing to the Division Series. Starting in 2022, the Wild Card field was increased to three teams, and along with the lowest-ranked division winner, qualified for the best-of-three Wild Card Series to determine the remaining two slots in the Division Series.

†† – Due to the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports|COVID-19 pandemic]], the season was shortened to 60 games.

<nowiki>***</nowiki> – Finished with the same record as the [[2020 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]] but won the wild-card spot due to a superior intra-divisional record (Brewers went 19–21 vs. the NL Central while the Giants went 18–22 vs. the NL West).

==Season results==
{| class="wikitable"
|bgcolor=#FFCC00 align=center width=10px| <sup>(#)</sup>
| Denotes team that won the [[World Series]]
|-
|bgcolor=#C0C0C0 align=center width=10px| <sup>(#)</sup>
| Denotes team that won the [[National League Championship Series|National League pennant]], but lost World Series
|-
|bgcolor=#CCFFCC align=center width=10px| <sup>(#)</sup>
| Denotes team that qualified for the [[Major League Baseball postseason|MLB postseason]]
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
!rowspan="2" width=60px| Season ||colspan="7"| Team (record)
|-
! 1st || 2nd || 3rd || 4th || 5th || 6th 
|-
|colspan="7"| 
*'''1994''': The National League Central was formed with five inaugural members. The [[Chicago Cubs]], [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] and [[St. Louis Cardinals]] joined from the [[National League East]]. The [[Cincinnati Reds]] and [[Houston Astros]] joined from the [[National League West]]. Due to the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|player's strike]], the remainder of the season was cancelled on August 12. The postseason and [[World Series]] was also cancelled.
|-
| {{mlby|1994}} || [[1994 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (66–48) || [[1994 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (66–49) || [[1994 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (53–61) || [[1994 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (53–61) || [[1994 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (49–64)
|-
| {{mlby|1995}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(2)</sup> [[1995 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (85–59) || [[1995 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (76–68) || [[1995 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (73–71) || [[1995 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (62–81) || [[1995 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (58–86)
|-
| {{mlby|1996}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(1)</sup> [[1996 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (88–74) || [[1996 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (82–80) || [[1996 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (81–81) || [[1996 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (76–86) || [[1996 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (73–89)
|-
| {{mlby|1997}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(1)</sup> [[1997 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (84–78) || [[1997 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (79–83) || [[1997 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (76–86) || [[1997 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (73–89) || [[1997 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (68–94)
|-
|colspan="7"|
*'''1998''': The [[Milwaukee Brewers]] joined from the [[American League Central]].
|-
| {{mlby|1998}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(2)</sup> [[1998 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (102–60) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(4)</sup> [[1998 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]]{{ref label|a|a}} (90–73) || [[1998 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (83–79) || [[1998 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (77–85) || [[1998 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (74–88) || [[1998 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (69–93)
|-
| {{mlby|1999}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(3)</sup> [[1999 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (97–65) || [[1999 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]]{{ref label|b|b}} (96–67) || [[1999 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (78–83) || [[1999 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (75–86) || [[1999 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (74–87) || [[1999 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (67–95)
|-
| {{mlby|2000}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(2)</sup> [[2000 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]]{{ref label|c|c}} (95–67) || [[2000 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (85–77) || [[2000 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (73–89) || [[2000 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (72–90) || [[2000 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (69–93) || [[2000 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (65–97)
|-
| {{mlby|2001}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(1)</sup> [[2001 Houston Astros season|Houston]]{{ref label|d|d}} (93–69) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(4)</sup>  [[2001 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (93–69) || [[2001 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (88–74) || [[2001 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (68–94) || [[2001 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (66–96) || [[2001 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (62–100)
|-
| {{mlby|2002}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(3)</sup> [[2002 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (97–65) || [[2002 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (84–78) || [[2002 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (78–84) || [[2002 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (72–89) || [[2002 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (67–95) || [[2002 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (56–106)
|-
| {{mlby|2003}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(3)</sup> [[2003 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (88–74) || [[2003 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (87–75) || [[2003 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (85–77) || [[2003 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (75–87) || [[2003 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (69–93) || [[2003 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (68–94)
|-
| {{mlby|2004}} ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| <sup>(1)</sup> [[2004 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (105–57) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(4)</sup> [[2004 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (92–70) || [[2004 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (89–73) || [[2004 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (76–86) || [[2004 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (72–89) || [[2004 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (67–94)
|-
| {{mlby|2005}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(1)</sup> [[2005 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (100–62) ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| <sup>(4)</sup> [[2005 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (89–73) || [[2005 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (81–81) || [[2005 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (79–83) || [[2005 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (73–89) || [[2005 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (67–95)
|-
| {{mlby|2006}} ||bgcolor=#FFCC00| <sup>(3)</sup> [[2006 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (83–78) || [[2006 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (82–80) || [[2006 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (80–82) || [[2006 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (75–87) || [[2006 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (67–95) || [[2006 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (66–96)
|-
| {{mlby|2007}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(3)</sup> [[2007 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (85–77) || [[2007 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (83–79) || [[2007 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (78–84) || [[2007 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (73–89) || [[2007 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (72–90) || [[2007 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (68–94)
|-
| {{mlby|2008}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(1)</sup> [[2008 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (97–64) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(4)</sup> [[2008 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (90–72) || [[2008 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (86–75) || [[2008 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (86–76) || [[2008 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (74–88) || [[2008 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (67–95)
|-
| {{mlby|2009}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(3)</sup> [[2009 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (91–71) || [[2009 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (83–78) || [[2009 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (80–82) || [[2009 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (78–84) || [[2009 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (74–88) || [[2009 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (62–99)
|-
| {{mlby|2010}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(3)</sup> [[2010 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (91–71) || [[2010 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (86–76) || [[2010 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (77–85) || [[2010 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (76–86) || [[2010 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (75–87) || [[2010 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (57–105)
|-
| {{mlby|2011}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(2)</sup> [[2011 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (96–66) ||bgcolor=#FFCC00| <sup>(4)</sup> [[2011 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (90–72) || [[2011 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (79–83) || [[2011 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (72–90) || [[2011 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (71–91) || [[2011 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (56–106)
|-
| {{mlby|2012}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(2)</sup> [[2012 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (97–65) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(5)</sup> [[2012 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (88–74) || [[2012 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (83–79) || [[2012 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (79–83) || [[2012 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (61–101) || [[2012 Houston Astros season|Houston]] (55–107)
|-
|colspan="7"|
*'''2013''': The [[Houston Astros]] left to join the [[American League West]].
|-
| {{mlby|2013}} ||bgcolor=#C0C0C0| <sup>(1)</sup> [[2013 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (97–65) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(4)</sup> [[2013 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (94–68) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(5)</sup>  [[2013 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (90–72) || [[2013 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (74–88) || [[2013 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (66–96)
|-
| {{mlby|2014}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(3)</sup> [[2014 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (90–72) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(4)</sup> [[2014 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (88–74) || [[2014 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (82–80) || [[2014 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (76–86) || [[2014 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (73–89)
|-
| {{mlby|2015}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(1)</sup> [[2015 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (100–62) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(4)</sup> [[2015 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (98–64) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(5)</sup> [[2015 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (97–65) || [[2015 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (68–94) || [[2015 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (64–98)
|-
| {{mlby|2016}} ||bgcolor=#FFCC00| <sup>(1)</sup> [[2016 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (103–58) || [[2016 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (86–76) || [[2016 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (78–83) || [[2016 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (73–89) || [[2016 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (68–94)
|-
| {{mlby|2017}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(3)</sup> [[2017 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (92–70) || [[2017 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (86–76) || [[2017 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (83–79) || [[2017 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (75–87) || [[2017 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (68–94)
|-
| {{mlby|2018}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(1)</sup> [[2018 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]]{{ref label|e|e}} (96–67) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC|<sup>(4)</sup>  [[2018 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (95–68) || [[2018 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (88–74) || [[2018 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (82–79) || [[2018 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (67–95)
|-
| {{mlby|2019}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(3)</sup> [[2019 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (91–71) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC|<sup>(5)</sup> [[2019 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (89–73) || [[2019 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (84–78) || [[2019 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (75–87) || [[2019 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (69–93)
|-
|colspan="7"| 
*'''2020''': Due to the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports|COVID-19 pandemic]], the season was shortened to 60 games. The postseason field was expanded to eight teams and the wild-card round became a best-of-three series.
|-
| {{mlby|2020}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(3)</sup> [[2020 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (34–26) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(5)</sup> [[2020 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (30–28) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(7)</sup> [[2020 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (31–29) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(8)</sup> [[2020 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]]{{ref label|f|f}} (29–31) || [[2020 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (19–41) 
|-
| {{mlby|2021}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(2)</sup> [[2021 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (95–67) ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC|<sup>(5)</sup> [[2021 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (90–72) || [[2021 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (83–79) || [[2021 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (71–91) || [[2021 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (61–101)
|-
| {{mlby|2022}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(3)</sup> [[2022 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (93–69) || [[2022 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (86–76) || [[2022 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (74–88) || [[2022 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (62–100) || [[2022 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (62–100) 
|-
| {{mlby|2023}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(3)</sup> [[2023 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (92–70) || [[2023 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (83–79) || [[2023 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (82–80) || [[2023 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (76–86) || [[2023 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (71–91) 
|-
| {{mlby|2024}} ||bgcolor=#CCFFCC| <sup>(3)</sup> [[2024 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee]] (93–69) || [[2024 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (83–79) || [[2024 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] (83–79) || [[2024 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati]] (77–85) || [[2024 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]] (76–86)
|}

;Notes and Tiebreakers
*{{note label|NLC1|a|a}} Chicago and [[San Francisco Giants|San Francisco]] of the [[National League West]] were tied for the wild-card berth and played in a [[1998 National League Wild Card tie-breaker game|tie-breaker game]]. The Cubs won 5–3 to claim the wild-card spot.
*{{note label|NLC1|b|b}} Cincinnati and [[New York Mets|New York]] of the [[National League East]] were tied for the wild-card berth and played in a [[1999 National League Wild Card tie-breaker game|tie-breaker game]]. The Reds lost 5–0 and were eliminated from postseason contention.
*{{note label|NLC1|c|c}} St. Louis and [[Atlanta Braves|Atlanta]] of the [[National League East]] were tied for the second and third seed, but the Cardinals claimed the second seed by winning the season series 4–3.
*{{note label|NLC1|d|d}} Houston and St. Louis were tied for the division championship and wild-card berth, but the Astros claimed the division crown by winning the season series 9–7, relegating St. Louis to the wild-card spot.
*{{note label|NLC1|e|e}} Milwaukee and Chicago were tied for the division championship and first wild-card berth and played in a [[2018 National League Central tie-breaker game|tie-breaker game]]. The Brewers won 3–1 to claim the division crown, while the Cubs were relegated to the first wild-card spot.
*{{note label|NLC1|f|f}} Milwaukee and [[San Francisco Giants|San Francisco]] of the [[National League West]] were tied for the second wild-card berth, but the Brewers clinched the final postseason spot due to a superior intra-division record (Milwaukee had a 19–21 record while San Francisco had an 18–22 record).

==NL Central statistics==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=2|Team
! colspan=3|Division championships
! colspan="5" |Postseason records{{efn|Reflects postseason record of each team only during the team's time as a member of the NL Central}}
|-
!Number
!Year(s)
!Most recent
![[Major League Baseball Wild Card|Wild Card]]{{efn|Number of times qualifying as a wild card team}}
![[Wild Card Series|NLWC]]
![[National League Division Series|NLDS]]
![[National League Championship Series|NLCS]]
![[World Series]]
|-
! colspan="9" |Current Teams in Division
|-
|[[St. Louis Cardinals]]
|12
|1996, 2000, 2002, 2004–2006, 2009, 2013–2015, 2019, 2022
|2022
|5
|1–3
|11–3
|4–7
|2–2
|-
|[[Chicago Cubs]]
|6
|2003, 2007, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2020
|2020
|3
|1–2
|4–3
|1–3
|1–0
|-
|{{nowrap|[[Milwaukee Brewers]]}}
|5
|2011, 2018*, 2021, 2023, 2024 
|2024
|3
|0–4
|2–2
|0–2
|0–0
|-
|[[Cincinnati Reds]]
|3
|1995, 2010, 2012
|2012
|2
|0–2
|1–2
|0–1
|0–0
|-
|[[Pittsburgh Pirates]]
|0
|—
|—
|3
|1–2
|0–1
|0–0
|0–0
|-
! colspan="9" |Former Team in Division
|-
|[[Houston Astros]]{{dagger}}
|4
|1997, 1998, 1999, 2001*
|2001
|2
|0–0
|2–4
|1–1
|0–1
|-
! Total !! 30 !! 1995–present !! 2024 !! 18 !! 3{{nbnd}}13 !! 20{{nbnd}}15 !! 6{{nbnd}}14 !! 3{{nbnd}}3
|}
<small>* – Won division via tiebreaker</small><br>
<small>{{dagger}} indicates no longer in division or part of NL since 2013</small>
:''Totals updated through conclusion of the 2024 postseason.''

==Rivalries==
* [[Cardinals–Cubs rivalry]]
* [[Brewers–Cubs rivalry]]
* [[Pirates–Reds rivalry]]

==See also==
*[[National League East]]
*[[National League West]]
*[[American League East]]
*[[American League Central]]
*[[American League West]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
*[http://shrpsports.com/mlb/stand.htm MLB Final Standings By Year]
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/ MLB Regular Season Standings]
{{MLB}}
{{National League}}
{{Chicago Cubs}}
{{Cincinnati Reds}}
{{Milwaukee Brewers}}
{{Pittsburgh Pirates}}
{{St. Louis Cardinals}}
<!--Excess navboxes removed, since they caused the page to exceed the [[WP:PEIS|Post-expand include size]] limit-->

[[Category:Major League Baseball divisions]]
[[Category:Sports leagues established in 1994]]
[[Category:1994 in baseball]]