Interleague Insight
By Mike Merlet
In 1997, teams from the American League and National League competed in regular season, head-to-head competition. Since then, the AL has somewhat dominated interleague play with an overall record of 1,650-1,515 (52%). In the past three seasons (including brief play in 2010), the AL has an even more impressive track record of 457-363 (56%).
The American League has been profitable from a betting standpoint in just about every way you look at it during the past three seasons. They are winning 58% of their home games and 53% percent on the road.
We are just about halfway through interleague play this season (as of Wednesday, June 16) and the National League is keeping pace with their American League counterparts, 54 games to 52. (Thanks in large part to a combined record of 15-4 from the Mets, Cardinals, and Rockies.)
Some teams have been much more profitable than others. Here’s a look at some of the best teams in terms of interleague play from the past three seasons.
The Detroit Tigers have the best interleague record of any team since 2007, with 42 wins and just 19 losses. They were just 72-81 since interleague play began, but have straightened out and are one of the most profitable teams in the MLB when playing against the NL. And they are already 5-2 this season with a series against Washington coming.
The Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins are just slightly behind the Tigers but also very profitable. Minnesota has a 41-20 record and Los Angeles is 42-20 since 2007. Interleague success is no shock for the Twins; they have the 2nd best all-time record against the NL, just one win behind the Yankees.
A surprisingly profitable team is the Kansas City Royals. KC is 35-26 over the past three seasons and already 4-3 this year. They are worth a look as an underdog when facing the NL.
The National League is filled with sub .500 teams in all-time interleague play. Colorado, St. Louis, New York, Atlanta, and Florida are the only five teams (out of 16) that have a winning record against the AL, and the Marlins boast the best overall record of 111-93.
Only the Rockies and Mets have had success against the AL during the past three seasons – “success” loosely defined. Colorado is 33-22 since 2007 and is already 5-2 this year. New York is 28-24, and wouldn’t be on this list if it weren’t for a hot start in 2010. They have the best interleague record in MLB so far with 6 wins and just 1 loss.
Switching our focus from sides to totals; the ‘under’ has had a minor edge in all interleague games, going 375-342-39, (52%).
One might think that the ‘under’ would have more success in games played at National League parks (AL pitchers are forced to bat); but contrary to popular belief the numbers only slightly favor the ‘under’ (53%).
Interleague play continues through June 27th.