2008 Interleague Inequity - AL West
Posted by: Richie Rich in 2008 MLB, Blue Jays, Interleague Play, Orioles, Rays, Red Sox, Yankees
The Interleague Inequity Series is winding down …
And since Nick just previewed the Angels, let’s head out West. As in the American League West.
There are two likely contenders in the AL West (Angels and Mariners) and two likely also-rans (A’s and Rangers) … even before a singl;e pitch has been thrown. Seattle and California will be locked in a tight battle all season … so a easy Interleague schedule for one of them could easily tip the scales in one team’s favor.
The MLB Schedule makers didn’t absolutely screw one contender over another one like they did in the NL Central. But the Angels have a right to complain …
2008 AL West Interleague
| I/L | ATL | NYM | PHI | FLA | WAS | HOU | LAD | SD | SF | ARZ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEAM | SOS | .519 | .543 | .549 | .438 | .451 | .451 | .506 | .546 | .438 | .556 |
| LAA | .512 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | |||||
| SEA | .508 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | |||||
| TEX | .494 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | |||||
| OAK | .490 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | |||||
A quick glance shows you that the AL West is playing the NL East. All four teams in the Division have Interleague Rivals, so each team misses at least one team from the NL East.
And among the Contenders … the Angels drew the short straw. They get back-to-back series against the Phillies and the NY Mets, missing only the lowly Florida Marlins. They also get six games against the crosstown Dodgers, who will likely be better than their 2007 record.
Meanwhile, the Mariners also miss a NL East team. But they don’t miss an also-ran like the Marlins or Nationals. No, the M’s miss the defending NL East Champion Phillies. The Mariners do get the honor of facing the pitching-rich San Diego Padres for six games. Someone needs to explain to mean why this is considered a rivalry? San Diego? Seattle?
Meanwhile, rebuilding Texas and Oakland get sextets against two lousy teams. And get to get whomped by the Mets and Phillies and Braves.
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