MLB: Interleague Weekend Matchups & Trends 5/21-5/23
MLB: Interleague Weekend Matchups & Trends 5/21-5/23
2010-05-21
It was 1997 when Interleague play began in Major League Baseball. Game traditionalists still bristle when they hear the term, but you have to give credit to commissioner Bud Selig for leading the noteworthy change. While the A.L. continues to seemingly pound its N.L. counterpart year-after year, the break in the regular monotony of the schedule is always much anticipated. Besides that, most of the Interleague matchups are of the regional rivalry variety, spicing up the game that much more in the months of May & June. Well, the first set of Interleague games is on tap for this weekend. Let’s take a look at a top StatFox Power Trend for each of the 15 series that you’ll want to consider in your weekend wagering.
In the previous 13 seasons, the AL has won the season series nine times compared to four for the NL and those from the junior circuit have won the last six in a row, proving their dominance.
The National League actually narrowed the gap last season with 114-138 record, which was better than 2008 when they were 103-149. Where everyone started to take notice of the disparity between the two leagues was 2006. After the AL had won the two previous years 262-241, they hammered the NL 154-98.
National League apologists will blame the designated hitter, more favorable matchups for their counterparts or the weather, but the fact remains over the last six years they are 671-840, .440 win percentage.
Since 2005, the NL has three teams with winning records, Colorado (45-37), Florida (43-41) and St. Louis (43-41). Only the first two have shown a profit to sports bettors (the Cardinals are -0- ), though Washington’s 43-47 mark has yielded +10.91 units of profit, primarily as underdog. Over the last five seasons, a NL diehard would have had to file for bankruptcy on straight bets, losing -160.12 units.
The Detroit Tigers are 37-17 (+17.6) against the NL and they’ve put together such a fine record primarily because of offense, being second in scoring (5.4 runs per game) and batting average (.294).
It will be worth watching to see the Los Angeles Angels perform. They have been among the top teams in the majors the last few seasons and that is also reflected in top interleague record of 38-16 (+18.6). With neither the hitting nor pitching up to previous standards, will that show in the Halos record vs. the National League this time around?
Boston and Minnesota have been padding their records for years against the NL and are financially dependable, with the Red Sox 38-20 (+9) and Twins 37-17 (+17.35). Minnesota pitching has really locked down NL hitters, with them totaling 3.3 RPG.
One AL club that has been under the radar is Kansas City with their 31-23 record (+11). The Royals could do some damage against the Rockies at home, having won six of eight and averaging double digit hits in that span.
The San Diego Padres are one of gigantic surprises of the 2010 season, being in first place in the NL West. If the Padres have aspirations of staying in that same location, they have to clean up their act versus the AL. The Friars might need prayers to improve baseball’s most putrid interleague record at 14-34.
One of the most befuddling NL teams when it comes to interleague action is the Los Angeles Dodgers (19-29, -12.25). Granted, part of their failures have come at the hands of the team down the road in Anaheim, nonetheless they have been a consistent loser for some time and enter this year’s foray playing well, but without all of their offensive weapons.
The one ray of sunshine for the NL has been the Cleveland Indians at 20-34 (-24.2). This year a few teams from the NL East, Pittsburgh and in-state rival Cincinnati will be able to take their shots against a team that is far removed from almost being in the World Series just a few seasons ago.
Now, here are some Top StatFox Power Trends for you to consider this weekend.
<b><i>ATLANTA at PITTSBURGH</b></i>
<li>PITTSBURGH is 13-45 (-32.7 Units) against the money line vs. an NL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PITTSBURGH 3.2, OPPONENT 5.7 - (Rating = 4*)
<b><i>CINCINNATI at CLEVELAND</b></i>
<li>CLEVELAND is 8-19 (-13.3 Units) against the money line in home games vs. a poor bullpen whose ERA is 4.50 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CLEVELAND 3.6, OPPONENT 4.8 - (Rating = 1*)
<b><i>BOSTON at PHILADELPHIA</b></i>
<li>PHILADELPHIA is 28-13 UNDER (+13.3 Units) at home with a money line of -100 to -150 over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 4.3, OPPONENT 4.4 - (Rating = 1*)
<b><i>BALTIMORE at WASHINGTON</b></i>
<li>WASHINGTON is 29-14 (+17.0 Units) against the money line vs. an AL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse since 1997. The average score was WASHINGTON 4.4, OPPONENT 3.7 - (Rating = 1*)
<b><i>NY YANKEES at NY METS</b></i>
<li>NY METS are 17-33 (-18.8 Units) against the money line vs. teams outscoring opp by 1 or more runs/game on the season over the last 3 seasons. The average score was NY METS 4.2, OPPONENT 5.4 - (Rating = 1*)
<b><i>TAMPA BAY at HOUSTON</b></i>
<li>TAMPA BAY is 20-5 (+11.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season. The average score was TAMPA BAY 5.6, OPPONENT 2.3 - (Rating = 1*)
<b><i>CHICAGO CUBS at TEXAS</b></i>
<li>CHICAGO CUBS are 9-25 (-16.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%) over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CHICAGO CUBS 3.4, OPPONENT 5.1 - (Rating = 2*)
<b><i>FLORIDA at CHI WHITE SOX</b></i>
<li>FLORIDA is 30-18 (+11.7 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 2 seasons. The average score was FLORIDA 5.1, OPPONENT 3.7 - (Rating = 1*)
<b><i>COLORADO at KANSAS CITY</b></i>
<li>KANSAS CITY is 14-25 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. The average score was KANSAS CITY 4.6, OPPONENT 5.6 - (Rating = 1*)
<b><i>MILWAUKEE at MINNESOTA</b></i>
<li>MINNESOTA is 28-13 (+21.0 Units) against the money line vs. an NL team with an on base percentage of .340 or better since 1997. The average score was MINNESOTA 5.2, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 2*)
<b><i>LA ANGELS at ST LOUIS</b></i>
<li>ST LOUIS is 37-16 UNDER (+18.9 Units) vs. a poor bullpen whose ERA is 4.50 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ST LOUIS 4.0, OPPONENT 3.6 - (Rating = 2*)
<b><i>TORONTO at ARIZONA</b></i>
<li>ARIZONA is 38-62 (-24.3 Units) against the money line vs. teams whose hitters strike out 7 or more times/game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ARIZONA 4.4, OPPONENT 5.4 - (Rating = 1*)
<b><i>SAN FRANCISCO at OAKLAND</b></i>
<li>SAN FRANCISCO is 52-32 UNDER (+15.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. The average score was SAN FRANCISCO 4.1, OPPONENT 3.4 - (Rating = 1*)
<b><i>DETROIT at LA DODGERS</b></i>
<li>LA DODGERS are 37-16 (+19.0 Units) against the money line vs. a good bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 or better over the last 2 seasons. The average score was LA DODGERS 5.2, OPPONENT 3.7 - (Rating = 1*)
<b><i>SAN DIEGO at SEATTLE</b></i>
<li>SEATTLE is 27-10 UNDER (+15.6 Units) vs. a very good bullpen whose ERA is 3.33 or better over the last 3 seasons. The average score was SEATTLE 3.5, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 2*)
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