Great thread MOV!
Hope this article helps...
Baseball's grand experiment called Interleague play once again takes center stage Friday with 14 games on the docket. Only the Cardinals and Rockies, who are playing each other, are not participating over the weekend.
While the average baseball fan simply perceives this as a chance to see some intriguing matchups between teams from the same state (Reds-Indians, Cubs-White Sox, Astros-Rangers, Giants-A's, Angels-Dodgers), the bettor looks at this period as an opportunity to cash some tickets.
Recent past history is always a good place to begin research. To that end, it should be mentioned that the American League won last year's battle with a record of 136-115. The AL Central (50-40) and the AL West (41-31) had the most success, while the AL East managed to go one game above .500 at 45-44.
The Cleveland Indians and Anaheim Angels garnered the best Interleague records last season at 13-5 and 12-6 respectively, while the San Diego Padres had the poorest mark against the American League at 5-10.
Anaheim's record against the National League was a bit of a surprise, since the Angeles were just 82-80 for the entire season. Other surprises were the Cubs and Tigers. Chicago, finishing the 2000 campaign 32 games under .500 at 65-97, was 8-7 against the AL. Detroit, four games under the break-even mark at 79-83, was 10-8 against the NL.
The series between the Phillies and Red Sox is the only weekend Interleague match that will feature a pair of first-place squads, while the tussle between the Mets and Devil Rays feature teams with the poorest ledgers.
Some past results of matchups this weekend include the Indians and Reds splitting six games. However, the Indians took two of three at Jacobs Field (site of this weekend's games), with the 'over' going a perfect 3-0.
The Cubs and White Sox also split six games last season, with the White Sox taking two of three at Comiskey Park. However, all three games were decided by one run. The White Sox recorded victories of 6-5 and 4-3, while the Cubs registered a 6-5 triumph.
Anaheim captured the season-series from the Dodgers, 4-2, including two of three at Dodger Stadium. The 'under' was 2-1 during the series, and none of the contests went over eight combined runs.
San Francisco and Oakland also split six games during the 2000 campaign, with the Athletics taking two of three at Network Associated Coliseum. The 'over' was 2-1 during the series, including a contest where the Giants lambasted the A's as a $1.07 road favorite, 18-2.
Sneaks
