Interleague Schedule Called into Question

Normally when the schedule comes out, Cubs fans cry and complain about the six games against the White Sox while the Cards play six against the Royals. However, as pointed out by Home Run Derby, that isn't the case this year.

Despite the NL Central being paired with the AL East in 2008, the Cubs avoid playing both the Red Sox and the Yankees. Instead they get three series with Tampa, Baltimore, and Toronto plus their rivalry home-and-home with the White Sox (who had a down year last season). Only 3rd place Toronto had a winning record in 2007. Cub fans will usually complain about Interleague unfairness, but with the Booyah network’s faves absent from the sked, they should be quiet in 2008.

Meanwhile, the Brewers get a trip to Fenway to play the Red Sox and six rivalry games vs. Minnesota. Prince Fielder might be a vegetarian, but there’s some meat in that schedule for him.

Houston and Cincinnati both have to play the Red Sox AND the Yankees. Houston gets off easy after that. Dusty Baker’s Reds aren’t so lucky … all of Cincy’s Interleague games are against teams with winning records. They play six games against the Indians. It’s the most brutal Interleague docket of ANY team in baseball.

While "the fans still love it" is a common answer by MLB front offices, players and owners are starting to sour on Interleague play and who can blame them? I am all for a balanced schedule to make things fair, but since the average fans love it, Interleague is going no where. Just remember that everything is cyclical, and soon enough the Cubs will play the Yankees and Red Sox in the same season.

Cubs' Interleague schedule easiest in division (Home Run Derby.com)