Interleague Inequities

Albert Chen

May 29, 2006

Interleague play returned for its 10th season last weekend, and so too did the grumbling from teams citing the unfair advantages it creates. Last year the Indians used their success against interleague opponents to vault into wild-card contention, going 11-1 against the weak NL West. This season the schedule figures to influence the NL Central race. Of their 15 games against AL opponents, Chris Carpenter (right) and the first-place Cardinals should benefit from six against their designated rival, the hapless Royals. On the other hand, the third-place Astros play 12 of their 18 interleague games against clubs that had winning records at week's end, including six with their designated rival, the Rangers, who are tied for the AL West lead. Says one NL team executive, "When these divisions come down to one or two games at the end of the season, interleague can make all the difference."