{"id":529,"date":"2008-06-22T17:33:39","date_gmt":"2008-06-23T00:33:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/2008\/06\/22\/climbing-the-ladder-with-the-american-league-62208\/"},"modified":"2008-06-22T17:33:39","modified_gmt":"2008-06-23T00:33:39","slug":"climbing-the-ladder-with-the-american-league-62208","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/2008\/06\/22\/climbing-the-ladder-with-the-american-league-62208\/","title":{"rendered":"Climbing the Ladder with the American League 6\/22\/08"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Ups and Downs of Interleague Play Plus More in this Week’s Climbing the Ladder with the American League<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
A.L. East<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nPCT.<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nGB<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL10<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nSTRK<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boston <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n46<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n31<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.597<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n—<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n6-4<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL2<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tampa Bay<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n44<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n30<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.595<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n0.5<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n6-4<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW1<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New York<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n40<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n35<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.533<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n5.0<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n7-3<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL2<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Baltimore <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n38<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n35<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.521<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n6.0<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n6-4<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL1<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Toronto <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n36<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n41<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.468<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n10.<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n2-8<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW1<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Boston Red Sox<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008 <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nWins<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nLosses<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n46<\/font><\/td>\n31<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Scored <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n293<\/font><\/td>\n97<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n132<\/font><\/td>\n195<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Batting Average<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.309<\/font><\/td>\n.232<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On Base Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.387<\/font><\/td>\n.302<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slugging Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.510<\/font><\/td>\n.355<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n66<\/font><\/td>\n25<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n33<\/font><\/td>\n38<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ERA <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n2.57<\/font><\/td>\n6.07<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The Boston Red Sox finish another week in first place.\u00c2\u00a0 Boston has been in first for a season high eighteen straight days and has held sole possession of first place for 49 days in 2008.\u00c2\u00a0 Currently, the Red Sox are 7-4 in interleague play this season and have lost consecutive games to the National League for the first time since June 12-14, 2007. JD Drew<\/strong> has continues to rake in June and leads the majors in runs, homers, RBI, and slugging for the month.\u00c2\u00a0 Drew’s 10 homers in June match the most in a month for him and his current 1.045 slugging percentage would be the most for a Sox player in June since research was first available in 1956.\u00c2\u00a0 Drew also has 4 homers in his last 6 games and has homered 8 times in his last 14 games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008 <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nWins<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nLosses<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n44<\/font><\/td>\n30<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Scored <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n249<\/font><\/td>\n87<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n108<\/font><\/td>\n196<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Batting Average<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.287<\/font><\/td>\n.224<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On Base Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.365<\/font><\/td>\n.288<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slugging Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.446<\/font><\/td>\n.354<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n47<\/font><\/td>\n27<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n22<\/font><\/td>\n41<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ERA <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n2.20<\/font><\/td>\n6.35<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The Tampa Bay Rays 44 victories are the most ever before the All-Star Break in the history of the franchise. \u00c2\u00a0 The Rays are now only a half game behind the Boston Red Sox, the closest the two teams have been in the standings since June 7th.\u00c2\u00a0 Tampa currently stands 14 games over .500 and have been over .500 for 54 consecutive days.\u00c2\u00a0 Prior to this season, they Rays have been over .500 for just 72 combined days in the last 10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
New York Yankees <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008 <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nWins<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nLosses<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n40<\/font><\/td>\n35<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Scored <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n250<\/font><\/td>\n97<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n111<\/font><\/td>\n220<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Batting Average<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.302<\/font><\/td>\n.235<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On Base Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.373<\/font><\/td>\n.302<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slugging Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.485<\/font><\/td>\n.354<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n50<\/font><\/td>\n26<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n26<\/font><\/td>\n41<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ERA <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n2.65<\/font><\/td>\n5.96<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The New York Yankees have been playing outstanding baseball since the return of Alex Rodriguez<\/strong> and are looking to salvage the last game of a three game series with the Cincinnati Reds.\u00c2\u00a0 The Yankees are 15-8 in series finales this season and hope to prevent being swept at home for the second time this season.\u00c2\u00a0 Yankee pitching has been impressive over their last 9 games and have posted a 1.88 ERA during that stretch and have held their opponents to 3 runs or less in 11 of their last 13 games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Baltimore Orioles<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008 <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nWins<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nLosses<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n38<\/font><\/td>\n35<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Scored <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n238<\/font><\/td>\n85<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n140<\/font><\/td>\n193<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Batting Average<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.303<\/font><\/td>\n.206<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On Base Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.372<\/font><\/td>\n.272<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slugging Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.501<\/font><\/td>\n.324<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n55<\/font><\/td>\n26<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n41<\/font><\/td>\n39<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ERA <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n3.46<\/font><\/td>\n5.33<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The Baltimore Orioles are looking to do something they haven’t done since April 6th, win on a Sunday.\u00c2\u00a0 Baltimore has lost 10 consecutive games on Sundays since the first of the season. The O’s have enjoyed playing baseball in June and are currently hitting .290 with 28 home runs and 103 runs in the 19 games they’ve played so far this month while committing just 6 errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Toronto Blue Jays <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008 <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nWins<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nLosses<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n35<\/font><\/td>\n41<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Scored <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n190<\/font><\/td>\n110<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n78<\/font><\/td>\n216<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Batting Average<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.294<\/font><\/td>\n.224<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On Base Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.369<\/font><\/td>\n.305<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slugging Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.443<\/font><\/td>\n.314<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n30<\/font><\/td>\n19<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n21<\/font><\/td>\n45<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ERA <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n2.06<\/font><\/td>\n4.98<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The Toronto Blue Jays have fallen to 10 games behind the American League East leading Boston Red Sox.\u00c2\u00a0 The Jays offense has continued to struggle despite good pitching performances from the Toronto stating 5.\u00c2\u00a0 The Jays surrendered an inside-the-park home run to Prince Fielder <\/strong>on Friday and the fact that a 280 pound man can round the bases before the ball reaches home plate goes to show you how Toronto’s season is going so far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
A.L. Central<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nPCT.<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nGB<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL10<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nSTRK<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chicago<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n41<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n33<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.554<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n—<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n4-6<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL2<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Minnesota<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n40<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n36<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.526<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n2.0<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n8-2<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW6<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cleveland <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n35<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n39<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.473<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n6.0<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n8-2<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW1<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Detroit <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n35<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n40<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.467<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n6.5<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n5-5<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW2<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kansas City<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n32<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n43<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.427<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n9.5<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n7-3<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW1<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Chicago White Sox<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008 <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nWins<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nLosses<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n41<\/font><\/td>\n33<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Scored <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n284<\/font><\/td>\n79<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n113<\/font><\/td>\n173<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Batting Average<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.296<\/font><\/td>\n.222<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On Base Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.374<\/font><\/td>\n.286<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slugging Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.518<\/font><\/td>\n.340<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n74<\/font><\/td>\n25<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n28<\/font><\/td>\n31<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ERA <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n2.33<\/font><\/td>\n5.06<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The Chicago White Sox have lost 8 of their last 12 games but have managed to hold onto their first place seat in the American League Central.\u00c2\u00a0 The White Sox have lost the first two games of three game series with the Cubs and will look for Javier Vazquez<\/strong> to stop the bleeding.\u00c2\u00a0 The White Sox bullpen has continues to pitch well and leads the American League with a 2.76 ERA, which is a great improvement over the 5.62 ERA it had posted at this time last season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Minnesota Twins <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008 <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nWins<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nLosses<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n39<\/font><\/td>\n36<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Scored <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n260<\/font><\/td>\n100<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n120<\/font><\/td>\n244<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Batting Average<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.310<\/font><\/td>\n.228<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On Base Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.367<\/font><\/td>\n.278<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slugging Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.452<\/font><\/td>\n.328<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n26<\/font><\/td>\n20<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n31<\/font><\/td>\n55<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ERA <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n2.73<\/font><\/td>\n6.38<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The Minnesota Twins have won 6 straight games and will look to complete a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks.\u00c2\u00a0 The Twins have four series sweeps so far in 2008 and will look to Livan Hernandez<\/strong> to pitch well enough for the fifth. Minnesota starters have earned a win in five straight games, the first time for the team since August 22-26, 2007.\u00c2\u00a0 Twins hitters have batted .348 with 33 runs scored, 12 doubles, 3 triples, one homer and 16 walks over this stretch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Cleveland Indians<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008 <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nWins<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nLosses<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n35<\/font><\/td>\n40<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Scored <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n231<\/font><\/td>\n109<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n87<\/font><\/td>\n237<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Batting Average<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.282<\/font><\/td>\n.212<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On Base Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.369<\/font><\/td>\n.279<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slugging Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.465<\/font><\/td>\n.323<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n47<\/font><\/td>\n24<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n21<\/font><\/td>\n60<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ERA <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n2.36<\/font><\/td>\n5.77<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The Cleveland Indians have won two straight games and are 5-5 in their last 10 games.\u00c2\u00a0 Cleveland’s offense has raised its batting average from .234 to .245 over the last 20 days but its pitching has begun to regress back to the mean.\u00c2\u00a0 Although Indian starters own the 3rd lowest ERA in the Major Leagues and have allowed just 148 earned runs in 376.2 innings pitched, June has not been a good month.\u00c2\u00a0 Indian starters are 6-8 with a 5.50 ERA in June after posting a 3.12 ERA in May, but have also pitched 5.0 or more innings in 53 of their last 60 games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Detroit Tigers<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008 <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nWins<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nLosses<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n35<\/font><\/td>\n39<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Scored <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n273<\/font><\/td>\n82<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n124<\/font><\/td>\n235<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Batting Average<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.327<\/font><\/td>\n.205<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On Base Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.392<\/font><\/td>\n.280<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slugging Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.548<\/font><\/td>\n.301<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n55<\/font><\/td>\n23<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n25<\/font><\/td>\n39<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ERA <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n3.20<\/font><\/td>\n5.88<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The Detroit Tigers have won 11 of their last 14 games and the team has batted .299 with 77 runs scored, 21 doubles, 4 triples, and 20 home runs during that stretch.\u00c2\u00a0 Tiger pitching has also shaped up to post a 3.41 ERA during the 14 games and a 3.18 ERA over their last 25 games, including 17 quality starts.\u00c2\u00a0 Detroit will get slugger Gary Sheffield <\/strong>back from the disabled list soon but he has struggled in his rehab assignment.\u00c2\u00a0 In his four games in Single A ball, Sheffield is batting just .100 (1-10) with a home run, a RBI, and 5 walks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008 <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nWins<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nLosses<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n32<\/font><\/td>\n43<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Scored <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n160<\/font><\/td>\n131<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n67<\/font><\/td>\n280<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Batting Average<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.291<\/font><\/td>\n.238<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On Base Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.344<\/font><\/td>\n.289<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slugging Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.458<\/font><\/td>\n.327<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n32<\/font><\/td>\n20<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n18<\/font><\/td>\n58<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ERA <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n1.96<\/font><\/td>\n6.41<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The last place Kansas City Royals are facing the second to last place San Francisco Giants this weekend and will look to take the rubber game of the series this afternoon.\u00c2\u00a0 The Royals are 3-1 in rubber games with their last win coming last Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.\u00c2\u00a0 With last nights win, the Royals improved to 8-3 against the National League, tying Baltimore and Minnesota for the best interleague record. The Royals and Giants will wear retro-uniforms during Sundays game as a tribute to the Negro Leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
A.L. West
\n<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n		W<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nPCT.<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nGB<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL10<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nSTRK<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Los Angeles <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n46<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n30<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.605<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n—<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n6-4<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW3<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oakland<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n40<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n36<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.541<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n5.0<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n6-4<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL1<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Texas<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n39<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n38<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.506<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n7.5<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n5-5<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nW2<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seattle<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n26<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n49<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.347<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n19.5<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n3-7<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nL2<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Los Angeles Angels<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008 <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nWins<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nLosses<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n45<\/font><\/td>\n30<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Scored <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n221<\/font><\/td>\n100<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n104<\/font><\/td>\n205<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Batting Average<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.273<\/font><\/td>\n.236<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On Base Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.340<\/font><\/td>\n.292<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slugging Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.423<\/font><\/td>\n.339<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n47<\/font><\/td>\n18<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n27<\/font><\/td>\n43<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ERA <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n2.11<\/font><\/td>\n6.74<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The Angels 45 wins ranks the team 3rd in the Majors in wins.\u00c2\u00a0 Los Angeles has won 7 of their last 8 road games and are 11-3 in their last 14 road games.\u00c2\u00a0 The Angels have scored 6 or more runs in 4 of their last 5 games and are batting .303 during that span.\u00c2\u00a0 The Angles have 17 home runs in the 18 games they’ve played in June after hitting 20 home runs in May.\u00c2\u00a0 Fourteen of the Angels next 20 games will be road games but the Halos don’t mind playing away from\u00c2\u00a0 home as they have the best road record in the Majors at 23-12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Oakland Athletics<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008 <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nWins<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nLosses<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n40<\/font><\/td>\n34<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Scored <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n273<\/font><\/td>\n62<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n115<\/font><\/td>\n163<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Batting Average<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.293<\/font><\/td>\n.198<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On Base Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.376<\/font><\/td>\n.263<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slugging Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.449<\/font><\/td>\n.288<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n40<\/font><\/td>\n14<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n27<\/font><\/td>\n25<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ERA <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n2.44<\/font><\/td>\n4.76<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The Oakland Athletics have split the fist two games of their series with Florida Marlins and and are looking for a win today.\u00c2\u00a0 The A’s have lost 9 of their last 12 series but remain in second place in the American League West.\u00c2\u00a0 The A’s are 11-7 so far in June and have finished with a winning record in June for the last 6 seasons.\u00c2\u00a0 Oakland pitching has continued to keep the A’s in games and has posted an ERA of 3.47 so far this season, the second lowest in the Majors behind the Chicago White Sox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Texas Rangers <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008 <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nWins<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nLosses<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n38<\/font><\/td>\n38<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Scored <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n284<\/font><\/td>\n140<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n147<\/font><\/td>\n288<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Batting Average<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.324<\/font><\/td>\n.234<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On Base Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.394<\/font><\/td>\n.303<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slugging Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.549<\/font><\/td>\n.360<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n64<\/font><\/td>\n29<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n24<\/font><\/td>\n48<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ERA <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n3.28<\/font><\/td>\n6.74<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The Texas Rangers enter today’s game hoping to climb above the .500 mark.\u00c2\u00a0 The Rangers will play their third rubber game in as many series today and are 6-3 in rubber games this season.\u00c2\u00a0 Last nights 13 run affair marked the 13th time this season the Rangers have had a double-digit run total.\u00c2\u00a0 Texas leads the Majors in games with 10-or-more runs in 2008 with the Chicago Cubs in second with 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Seattle Mariners<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008 <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nWins<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\nLosses<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n26<\/font><\/td>\n48<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Scored <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n143<\/font><\/td>\n149<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n60<\/font><\/td>\n306<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Batting Average<\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.289<\/font><\/td>\n.231<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On Base Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.353<\/font><\/td>\n.284<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Slugging Percentage <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n.433<\/font><\/td>\n.341<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n17<\/font><\/td>\n39<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home Runs Allowed <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n13<\/font><\/td>\n50<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ERA <\/strong><\/font><\/td>\n1.97<\/font><\/td>\n6.19<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The Seattle Mariners are 2-2 in their last 4 games but are 8-14 following their 7 games losing streak.\u00c2\u00a0 The Mariners will be looking to dump salary in the next coming weeks and could move pitcher Erik Bedard<\/strong> to a contender. Despite having just 26 wins this season, the Mariners are not as bad as their record shows and should have a better second half to the season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Ups and Downs of Interleague Play Plus More in this Week’s Climbing the Ladder with the American League<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-529","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t