Generally speaking, does the AL have an edge in interleague play?
Redsox swept Rockies in WS.
They swept Cards in WS.
Whitesox swept Astros in WS.
fifawcs
SBR MVP
05-14-07
2888
#2
Yes. The AL's level of play is higher than that of the AL. The NL hasn't won an all star game since 1999. The AL is also dominant in interleague play every year.
Comment
BuddyBear
SBR Hall of Famer
08-10-05
7233
#3
this so called "edge" is also factored into the betting lines mind you....
Comment
MonkeyF0cker
SBR Posting Legend
06-12-07
12144
#4
I would actually say that the coin is flipped this year. The NL seems to have more offensive prowess this year than the AL. The recent powerhouses of the AL are slumping and others like the Rays are winning. I really don't think this will be a traditional year for interleague. I think the NL shows up the AL this year.
Comment
ryanXL977
SBR Posting Legend
02-24-08
20615
#5
the al is better by a mile
the mediocre teams in the al are way better than those in the nl
cleve
tigers
minne
texas
yanks
all those teams are no worse than the braves, cardinals, or dodgers right now
Comment
MonkeyF0cker
SBR Posting Legend
06-12-07
12144
#6
Originally posted by ryanXL977
the al is better by a mile
the mediocre teams in the al are way better than those in the nl
cleve
tigers
minne
texas
yanks
all those teams are no worse than the braves, cardinals, or dodgers right now
Hmm. The Indians or the Yankees have hard time scoring more than 3 runs a game against AL pitching. The Tigers have one of the worst records in baseball. Texas? Are you serious? Minnesota is about the only team in that list playing well. I'd definitely take my chances with the Braves, Cardinals, Brewers, or Dodgers against any one of those teams right now - not something I would have said in past years. If you look at the tops of both leagues as well, I'd take the Marlins against the Rays, the Cubs against the Twins and the Diamondbacks against the Angels too. The NL is playing much better than the AL to this point. Many of the elite teams of recent years, known for their offensive might, like the Yankees and Red Sox have become under machines.
Comment
ryanXL977
SBR Posting Legend
02-24-08
20615
#7
cardinals arent good. they will fall off. what offense do they have? the yanks dont have jorge or arod, i assure you they score more runs this yea then the cards, probabaly like 150 more runs. brewers are no better than texas or cleveland. compare clevelands pitching to the cards, brewers or dodgers
its not even close
detroit has a better offense than anyone in the nl. they will be fine.
Comment
MonkeyF0cker
SBR Posting Legend
06-12-07
12144
#8
I'm talking about what these teams have done so far this year. Not what they should be doing or what they're capable of. Cleveland's starting rotation is good but they aren't putting up many runs. That's a classic NL scenario from years past. Just because you say or think a team is better doesn't convince me that they're suddenly going to step up and start playing like many thought they would. I'll take the teams that have been performing well when interleague begins...
Comment
ryanXL977
SBR Posting Legend
02-24-08
20615
#9
cleveland proved last year they are going to hit
you think victor martinez wont have 20+ hrs? he has zero now
same with guys like hafner, grady, etc
that team is a top 4 MAJOR league team
they will be fine
the nl is not close
milwaukee? no pitching or pen or defense
the dbacks are legit, but the pads, rockies, and maybe even the braves, may not end up 500
we will see
the al is WAY better
waaaay better
not even close
Comment
willyback
SBR Wise Guy
11-15-07
674
#10
Yep...
AL pitchers have a huge advantage. They don't have to go through a nine man line-up of potential sluggers.
AL teams are built for offense. NL teams tend to be built for pitching.
If Toronto was in the NL, they'd dominate. If San Diego was in the AL, they'd be the worst team in baseball (hands down).
Comment
ryanXL977
SBR Posting Legend
02-24-08
20615
#11
of course thats true
but nl hurlers have an advantage too
the al are better teams
Comment
MonkeyF0cker
SBR Posting Legend
06-12-07
12144
#12
This was all true last year. It certainly can't be said so far this year. It is possible for teams and players to underperform for an entire season for whatever reason. Just because they did something last year does not mean they will repeat it the next. You need not look any further than your coveted Indians and a pitcher named Cliff Lee. By your logic, he should be tagged for about 20 runs and should be faded at every opportunity. Both Boston and the Yanks have fairly old lineups and many of the players on them are past their prime. What makes you think that these guys aren't on the downside of their careers and/or haven't lost the hunger to keep winning championships?
Comment
ryanXL977
SBR Posting Legend
02-24-08
20615
#13
there is no evidence that ellsbury, youkilis, manny, or any of them, really, are on the downside. beckett, papelbon, okajima, are all young
the nl is not close to the al. the indians will start hitting, i am not going to ignore year after year of performance for one bad month
thats not smart to do, i dont think
Comment
MonkeyF0cker
SBR Posting Legend
06-12-07
12144
#14
Well we ARE talking about interleague which starts THIS weekend. You certainly have every right to cap your matchups based on last year. I'll be looking at what they've been accomplishing so far this year, especially recently. For some odd reason, I've convinced myself its the logical way to go about it. Perhaps I'm mistaken.
Comment
ryanXL977
SBR Posting Legend
02-24-08
20615
#15
i thought you were talking overall, i wasnt even thinking as far as interleague matchuops this wknd
i agree that those stats from last yr arent terribly important
Comment
MonkeyF0cker
SBR Posting Legend
06-12-07
12144
#16
Originally posted by willyback
AL pitchers have a huge advantage. They don't have to go through a nine man line-up of potential sluggers.
AL teams are built for offense. NL teams tend to be built for pitching.
If Toronto was in the NL, they'd dominate. If San Diego was in the AL, they'd be the worst team in baseball (hands down).
Well they ARE the worst team in the NL right now. Not really sure how much worse you think they would be...