Around the AL: Interleague play concludes

Major League Baseball completed its 2007 Interleague schedule this weekend with the American League taking the season series once again. While last year’s record turned out incredibly lopsided at 154–98 toward the AL, this year’s record was slightly more respectable. Still, the AL’s 137–115 edge shows that there’s a gap between the two leagues. Or maybe just an adjustment to a different style of play.

Whenever an American League team plays a game in a National League ballpark, their pitcher occupies the ninth position in the batting order. Yes, the NL pitchers might be a little more accustomed to flailing away at the plate, but this is hardly an advantage for home team. The biggest advantage, if you can call it that, is the AL must sit a hitter that’s usually part of the every day lineup.

On the flip side, when National League teams travel to AL parks, they must find a hitter to occupy the DH role. That’s usually the team’s fourth outfielder or fifth infielder. American League teams, meanwhile, generally have a guy that’s getting paid around $10 million per year to hit in that DH role. That’s a significant advantage.

Now I doubt whether that’s the reason the record is still off center, but it’s certainly something to think about. The talent level in the AL is simply superior right now. They just need to show it in October instead of June.

Home run kings
There were plenty of storylines in this season’s Interleague lineup, but having two of the game’s best ever home run hitters in one park was a nice conclusion. Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees visited Barry Bonds and the Giants at AT&T Park this weekend with the Giants taking two of three from the Bombers. The Rodriguez-Bonds spotlight was big and bright, though. Rodriguez went 9-for-13 (.692) with five runs, four RBIs and a .750 OBP. Bonds didn’t disappoint either, going 4-for-7 with his 749th career home run Friday. With Bonds likely surpassing the home run record in the next month, can we expect to see Rodriguez approach Bonds’ record in another six or seven years?

Sosa’s 600th
Speaking of Interleague and long balls, was there a better scenario for Sammy Sosa to hit his 600th career home run last Wednesday? After Texas was the only team to give Sosa a shot at a come back, he hit the milestone shot (his 12th of the season) against the Cubs, his former team. It was Sosa’s first home run against the Cubs, meaning he has now circled the bases against every Major League franchise. While Sosa’s accomplishments put him in elite company as only the fifth member of the 600-home run club, his Hall of Fame status remains up in the air due to the era in which he did it. Still, it was a feel good story for baseball. Perhaps the only better situation would have been if he hit it in Wrigley Field.

Player of the Week: Carlos Guillen, SS, Detroit Tigers
There were plenty of worthy POTW performances this week but the award goes to Guillen, who went 10-for-21 (.476) with eight runs, three home runs, 11 RBIs and a 1.590 OPS. Guillen, who hit safely in all six of his team’s games, ended the week with an 11-game hitting streak and has been a big part of the Tigers’ recent seven-game winning streak. Honorable mention goes to Chone Figgins (.577), Brian Roberts (.538) and Alex Rodriguez (.545), all of whom hit over .500 for the week.

Previous Recipients: Gary Sheffield, Grady Sizemore, Jack Cust, Troy Glaus, Magglio Ordonez, Alex Rodriguez (3), Ian Kinsler, Vladimir Guerrero.

Pitcher of the Week: Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins
One of the preseason favorites for the Cy Young award makes his first appearance on Around the AL’s POTW list after throwing a four-hit shutout against the Mets and following that up with a six-inning two-run performance against the Marlins. Santana’s totals for the week — 2–0 record, 15 IP, 0.60 ERA, nine hits, one walk and nine Ks.

Previous Recipients: Justin Verlander, Joe Blanton, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Fausto Carmona, C.C. Sabathia (2), Dan Haren, Mark Buehrle, Felix Hernandez, John Lackey.

League Leaders (through June 24th games):
Batting Average:
1.    Magglio Ordonez (.381)
2.    Ichiro Suzuki (.364)
3.    Reggie Willits (.343)

Home Runs:
1.    Alex Rodriguez (28)
2.    Justin Morneau (20)
3.    Gary Sheffield (17)
3.    Carlos Pena (17)

RBIs:
1.    Alex Rodriguez (77)
2.    Vladimir Guerrero (69)
3.    Magglio Ordonez (68)

Stolen Bases:
1.    Brian Roberts (24)
2.    Grady Sizemore (22)
2.    Ichiro Suzuki (22)

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