Interleague Advantage Slipping for AL?
Washington’s sweep of the White Sox back in April is one of the reasons the National League may improve its interleague record this season.
For the better part of a decade, the American League has owned the National League in interleague play. Simply put, the big bats, small ballparks, and designated hitters of the AL have mostly proven too much for the NL.
Early results this season suggest that this trend might be about to change.
With Houston’s move to the American League this season, interleague play has become a daily occurrence. While the baseball purists may despise this new facet of the game, it’s simply something we all have to come to terms with. It appears the National League may be coming to terms with it quicker than most.
Historical Numbers
Following the introduction of interleague play in 1997, the American League has tallied a 2,095-1,896 (.525) record against the National League, up until the end of the 2012 season.
During that time, the AL recorded a winning record over the NL in 12 of 16 seasons, including each of the last nine.
This advantage carried over to the Midsummer Classic, with the AL going 12-0-1 in All-Star Games between 1997 and 2009. The NL has taken each of the last three games though.
That winning record didn’t however translate to World Series wins. Since 1997, the AL and NL have won eight championships apiece. Again, the NL has won each of the last three World Series.
2013 Head-to-Head
Wednesday night saw five interleague games played around baseball. Of those five, four were won by the American League side.
Those wins bring the AL record in interleague play this season to 21-20 (.512). The NL had owned a 19-17 edge at the end of play on Tuesday.
The National League got off to a terrific start this season, winning seven of the first nine interleague games, before the AL got itself back in the hunt.
There has been a distinct home field advantage so far in interleague play, with the home club recording a 25-16 (.610) record. NL clubs have gone 14-10 (.583) when playing at home, while AL clubs are a very impressive 11-6 (.647).
The closeness of the two leagues suggests that the new format of interleague play may have switched momentum away from the AL.
However, bettors shouldn’t back the NL in all interleague play just yet.
2013 Series Victories
While the NL appears to be a good match for the AL in straight up games this season, the AL has a decided advantage in terms of series won.
Overall, AL sides have won six series so far this season, with National League sides recording three series victories. Five series have finished tied.
The AL has won five straight series decisions, with three others finishing tied. If you eliminate the Cubs’ win over the Rangers on Monday, which gave the Chicago side a delayed series win, the NL hasn’t won a series since the Mets beat the Twins 2-0 finishing Apr. 13, a series that technically isn’t over after a third game was rained out. Therefore the last undisputed series win came when the Nationals completed a sweep of the White Sox on Apr. 11.
Maybe the American League isn’t about to relinquish its interleague authority just yet.
Of course, with just 41 interleague games recorded so far and another 259 still to go, it’s probably too early to be governed by such numbers, but these are trends that bettors should keep an eye on as the season progresses.
For those wondering how Thursday’s schedule might be affected, here’s a look at the two interleague games on offer.
CC Sabathia will look to lead the Yankees to a series victory in Colorado.
New York Yankees at Colorado Rockies
Thursday, 3:10 pm ET
New York (19-13, 7-6 road) will play the rubber game of a three-game set at Coors Field on Thursday afternoon, looking to win a second straight game against Colorado (19-14, 11-6 home).
Wednesday night saw the Yankees bounce back from a 2-0 shutout in the series opener, taking a 3-2 victory in the cold and wet confines of the Mile High City. The Bronx side made the most of a 2-run homer from Vernon Wells in the first, before the left fielder – who also took a first ever spell at third base in this one – scored the winning run in on Brennan Boesch’s pinch-hit single in the ninth.
The Yankees – the all-time leaders in interleague play – will feel good about Thursday’s series closer as CC Sabathia (4-3, 3.31 ERA) takes to the mound. The ace may have lost two of his last three starts, but he’s been dominant in interleague play, going 11-2 (2 ND) against the NL since joining the Yankees.
Of course, the thin air at Coors Field can make even the best pitchers look ordinary, but Sabathia can look back at an 8-3 victory in his last visit to the ballpark (Jun. 25, 2011).
Jeff Francis (1-2, 7.27 ERA) will go for the Rockies. The leftie has dropped three straight starts, including a 7-4 defeat to the Yankees’ division rivals, Tampa Bay last Friday.
New York (-135) opened as the favorite on the moneyline ahead of the game. About 64 percent of bettors are backing the Bronx Bombers to take this one. The total opened at 9.5. New York (14-15-3) has marginally favored the under while the Rockies (18-14-1) have favored the over.
Doug Fister and the Detroit Tigers will hope to leave Washington with a share of the spoils.
Detroit Tigers at Washington Nationals
Thursday, 4:05 pm ET
In Thursday’s other interleague matchup, Detroit (19-12, 9-8 road) clashes with Washington (18-15, 10-7 home) in a make-up of a rainout game on Tuesday.
The Nationals took a 3-1 victory in what turned out to be the short series’ opening game, scoring solo runs in the third, fourth and fifth to counter the Tigers’ one-run third inning.
Detroit opened the scoring on a Miguel Cabrera single in the top of the third, which scored Torii Hunter. Bryce Harper responded in the bottom of the frame, hitting a sacrifice fly to score Denard Span, before hitting his 10th homerun of the season in the fifth.
Jordan Zimmerman (6-1) took the win over Anibal Sanchez (3-3).
Detroit swept Washington’s division rivals, Atlanta at the end of April, and will be hoping to split this two-game set to add to its bragging rights.
Doug Fister (4-0, 2.48 ERA) will take to the mound for the Tigers. Two no decisions in his last three games ultimately hasn’t harmed the side – the Tigers won both those games – but Fister will want a fifth win for his own confidence. He recorded a ND in his only outing against the Nationals (Ju, 21, 2011).
Dan Haren (3-3, 5.01 ERA) will go for the home side. Haren hasn’t had the best start to his Nationals career but he has won his last two starts, and went 8.0 innings against the Braves one week ago.
The Central Division-leading Tigers (-140) opened as the favorite over Washington (+120) on the moneyline. The total opened at 7.5. Both Washington (16-15-2) and Detroit (19-11-1) have favored the over so far this season.
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This weekend’s interleague series sees the Tampa Bay Rays (15-18, 9-6 home) hosting the San Diego Padres (16-18, 6-10 road) at Tropicana Field. Game 1 will be on Friday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 pm ET.
