The National League is home to three of the biggest disappointments in all of baseball this year.
However, it is also home to three of the biggest surprises in the league.
Teams like the New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and St. Louis Cardinals have played uncharacteristically bad baseball and find themselves on the outside looking in.
However, the Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins, and Arizona Diamondbacks have emerged as surprise contenders, making the Senior Circuit quite interesting to watch this year.
As the trade deadline approaches, there will be a lot of activity in the National League.
On MLB Network, former star second baseman Mark DeRosa listed his top-five contenders in the National League.
Who are your top 5 National League contenders?#MLBCentral | @markdero7 pic.twitter.com/YUwsFvF4Ee
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 6, 2023
At No. 5, DeRosa had the Marlins, who have a pitching staff that features young stars such as Sandy Alcantara, Jesus Luzardo, Eury Perez, and Braxton Garrett.
They also have Luis Arraez, who is on a quest to potentially hit .400 this season.
Miami is 21-5 in one-run games.
Next on the list were the Reds, who have reaped the benefits of an emerging young core that features Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Spencer Steer, Alexis Diaz, Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, and more.
Cincinnati currently sits at the top of the NL Central.
DeRosa’s No. 3 pick surprised those at MLB Network.
He predicted that the Padres would ultimately go on a run and fix their season.
DeRosa rounded out his list with the defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves, who met in the NLDS last year.
NEXT: MLB Insider Highlights The Future Of The Orioles
