Major League Baseball started interleague play in 1997. With some modification, the format has remained the same as it was in 1997.
There were 214 interleague games played in 1997. The number of scheduled interleague games is now 300. The biggest change was made when the Houston Astros moved from the National League to the American League in 2013.
With Houston in the National League, it gives the NL 14 teams to 12 in the AL. There were days when all the teams in AL were involved in interleague play and two teams from the NL played each other, or sat out.
Starting with the 2004 season, the American League has come out ahead in interleague games every year. However, that run of 14 winning seasons for the AL may be coming to an end. If the NL beats the AL in interleague play this season some of the blame will fall on the Chicago White Sox.
Despite taking two of three from the NL’s Milwaukee Brewers last weekend, the Sox record in interleague play is only 3-9. Entering games Monday, the NL had a 47-35 edge.
The Sox have struggled which their 18-38 record through Sunday attested. The Brewers, on the other hand, had won seven straight series prior to playing the Sox and had moved to first place in the NL Central.
The Sox opened the Brewers’ series with an 8-3 victory. Trailing 3-0 early, the Sox tied the score at three after three innings. The Brewers went hitless against five Sox relievers and Sox bats boomed to lock up the victory.
Another excellent pitching performance by James Shields was wasted in Saturday’s 5-0 loss to the Brewers.
Sunday was a rare delight for Sox fans. A 6-1 Sox victory saw Sox relievers work four hitless innings. In the two victories over Milwaukee, Sox relievers worked 92/3 innings without yielding a run.