Friday, April 2, 2021

MLB Inter-league: 2021 Recap

I incorrectly predicted that the Houston Cheatros would defeat Atlanta in the World Series (WS) based on  American League (AL) superiority. For example, the AL has won 8 all-star matches in a row, 20 of the last 23 to reach a decision and 26 of the last 32.  

With the All-Star game and WS matches included, AL teams bested National League (NL) teams 171-137 (55.375%) in the 2021 instalment of the Major League Baseball (MLB) inter-league rivalry. 

After including the LA Dodgers' 4-2 2020 World Series triumph over the TB Rays, the NL won the annual inter-league contest 3 consecutive years from 2018 through 2020 after 14 consecutive AL triumphs from 2004 through 2017. 

Based on 2018-2020, I had thought that the "brain gap" between AL and NL team managements had disappeared. Many brains who started in AL organizations have since been lured to managing NL teams. But, AL dominance in 2021 is consistent with 2004-2017.

Interesting to note that 2021 AL superiority was based almost entirely on the mighty mighty AL East's 64-36 record against the sad-sack NL LEast. Even after including the WS, Atlanta had a 10-16 inter-league record. AL Central teams finished 56-44 against their NL Central rivals with only the AL West lagging at 47% against the NL West.