Expanded interleague play is still under the radar in the midst of all the other changes implemented in MLB in 2023. As always, BBB--like nature--abhors a vacuum...
First, let's reiterate that the irregularity of matchups in interleague play will continue to have some impact on how the divisional races play out. Exactly how that happens is difficult to nail down just yet, but we expect to have more clarity for you on this by the time we get to the second half of the season.
Note that two teams--the Dodgers and the Padres--still have yet to play an interleague game in '23, while five teams (Phillies, Pirates, Giants, Mariners and Nationals) have played 14 or more games against the other league (40%+ of their schedule).
An interesting contrast is in sight regarding two teams that have struggled in recent years: the Tigers and the Nationals. Detroit is looking a bit better than expected thus far in '23, but much of that might be explained by the fact that the early schedule has brought them a series of weak interleague opponents: thus far in '23, Detroit has a 7-1 record in such games. Meanwhile, the Nationals have played eleven of their fourteen games against strong interleague opponents, and lost eight of them. (As you might surmise from this, they're playing much better against their own league.)
Note also that the Pirates, who were off to a blazing start, have hit a wall in the past two weeks, partly because they hit a portion of their schedule where they were facing strong interleague opponents.
Looking at the bottom line data (at the bottom of the data...), we see that the AL has opened a six-game lead in 2023's interleague sweepstakes. Some of that, however, may be due to the fact that the league as a whole has yet to play strong interleague opponents. AL teams have only played 41 games against strong NL teams, while NL teams have played 61 games against strong AL teams. Looking at the two leagues' record against weaker opponents, note that their winning percentages in such games are virtually identical (.536 for AL, .532 for NL).
We'll be staying on this all season long...stay tuned.
