MLB Weekend Interleague Cheat Sheet
By Marc Lawrence
Round 2 in Interleague play resumes this weekend as the American League looks to improve on its domination this weekend. American League certainly holds a 724-591 record against its National League cousins over the last five-plus years (including 22-20 overall this season).
In this week’s edition of the Cheat Sheet, a guide designed to help you isolate a few key best bets, we focus on two rivalry series. In addition, we’ve updated the records of the best and worst performers in the history of Interleague play. Keep in mind that all pitcher records are team stats unless noted otherwise.
Boston Red Sox at Philadelphia Phillies
Most recent series result: Red Sox 13-3 last sixteen games vs. Phillies
Most recent series result at the site: Red Sox 8-2 last 10 games away vs. Phillies
Key day/month stat: Phillies 20-4 on Sundays; Red Sox 1-4 away in Sundays
Best arm in the series: Josh Beckett 12-4 3.79 lifetime vs. Phillies (4-0 last four)
Worst arm in the series: Joe Blanton 1-3 3.24 ERA home lifetime vs. Red Sox
New York Mets at New York Yankees
Most recent series result: Mets 4-2 last six games vs. Yankees
Most recent series result at the site: Mets 3-0 last three away vs. Yankees
Key day/month stat: Yankees 16-3 home on Sundays; Mets 1-4 away on Sundays
Best arm in the series: Johan Santana 5-1 1.67 ERA away lifetime vs. Yankees; Yankees’ Andy Pettite 6-1 3.33 ERA home lifetime vs. Mets
Worst arm in the series: John Maine 0-2 16.50 ERA lifetime vs. Yankees; Mets’ Livan Hernandez 0-2 6.55 ERA away lifetime vs. Yankees
Best all-time interleague teams
1. New York Yankees 124-89 .582
2. Minnesota Twins 123-90 .578
3. Oakland Athletics 124-91 .577
4. Chicago White Sox 118-96 .551
5. Boston Red Sox 117-97 .547
Worst all-time interleague teams
1. Pittsburgh Pirates 64-105 .379
2. Baltimore Orioles 92-122 .430
3. San Diego Padres 83-111 .428
4. Tampa Bay Rays 88-111 .442
5. Cincinnati Reds 79-96 .457