Weekly Interleague Notes
By Kevin Rogers
Interleague play is alive and kicking all around baseball with four rounds of series coming up over the next two weeks. There are many matchups that fans aren't used to, which can turn into an advantage for bettors with potential soft lines. We'll take a look at several teams this week that have a lot to gain and others that may struggle in interleague play.
New York Mets
The Mets have been inconsistent at times this season, but Jerry Manuel's club is solid when it comes to facing American League opponents on the road. After sweeping a three-game set from the Orioles at Camden Yards this past weekend, the Mets own a 12-6 mark on the highway in interleague play since 2008. New York heads to Cleveland on Tuesday for a three-game series with the Indians, followed by a rematch with the Yankees in the Bronx this weekend.
Chicago White Sox
The Pale Hose picked up a series win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field, improving Ozzie Guillen's team to 13-8 the last 21 interleague road games. The Sox finished last season at 6-3 on the highway against NL opponents, while cashing the 'under' in 11 of the last 15 interleague road contests. Chicago battles a pair of below .500 teams on the road this week, heading to Pittsburgh on Tuesday and Washington on Friday. The Sox will face rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg in the series opener against the Nationals, Chicago's first trip ever to the nation's capital in interleague action.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The D-Backs are sitting in the cellar of the NL West, but are 2-1 in interleague play after capturing a home series against the Blue Jays last month. Arizona heads to Boston on Tuesday night, as the Snakes have been a terrific 'fade' on the road against AL competition, going 5-10 since 2008. Unfortunately for the D-Backs, ace Dan Haren is not slated to pitch at Fenway Park, as three of those five wins in interleague play have come with the righty on the mound. Haren will start in the series opener at Detroit on Friday night against Armando Galarraga.
Houston Astros
It's never easy for any team to walk into Yankee Stadium and come out with a victory, as the Astros were swept by New York this past weekend. Houston is now 6-12 the last 18 interleague games on the road, while the 'under' has cashed 12 times. The Astros head to Kansas City for three games starting Tuesday, but luckily for Houston, it misses Royals' ace Zack Greinke, who won Sunday at Cincinnati. Houston sends out Felipe Paulino, Roy Oswalt, and Brett Myers at Kauffman Stadium, as the Astros are 8-5 the last 13 games to dig out of last place in the NL Central.
Philadelphia Phillies
The two-time NL Champs have cleaned up against competition from their league, but the Phillies have had their issues against the American League. Philadelphia is 18-32 versus AL squads since 2008, including a 10-13 mark on the road. Following Sunday's 5-3 win at Boston, the 'under' has hit in 15 of the last 23 away interleague contests. Things don't get easier for the Phillies the next two series, battling the Yankees and Twins this week. Philadelphia heads to the Bronx for a rematch of last season's World Series, as five of six meetings finished 'under' the total. Home is where the problems are for the Phillies, compiling a 9-19 ledger against AL opponents the last three seasons with the Twins coming to town on Friday.
Oakland Athletics
The A's have struggled on the road against NL competition since the start of last season, losing nine of 12 games, including all three at San Francisco this past weekend. Seven times in this span, Oakland has been held to two runs or less, with five of those occurrences coming against the Giants. The A's make two trips through the Midwest this week, starting in Chicago on Tuesday against the Cubs. Oakland invades Wrigley Field for only the second time with the first meeting coming back in 2004. The A's wrap up the week in St. Louis, as the Cardinals are 5-1 in six lifetime matchups with Oakland.
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