"They're my daddy."

Pedro Martinez famously uttered those words after suffering yet another beat-down at the hands of the Yankees (a.k.a. The Evil Empire).  The same sentiment can be applied to Interleague play.

The American League is the National League's daddy.

The AL has dominated the senior circuit three years in a row.  They amassed a 136-116 record against the NL in 2005, 154-98 in 2006 and 137-115 last year.  That's 427-329 for you MIT grads out there (or those of you who are bored and wanted to play with the calculator accessory on your computer).

Does the word "own" come to anyone else's mind right now?

As round one of the 2008 version of Interleague play is set to begin this weekend, I offer my deepest condolences to National League fans.  You are about to get a prelude to hell.

Or are you?

This year--more so than any since interleague play began--may provide the NL with its best shot at bettering those that use the designated hitter.  Thanks to an infusion of tremendous young talent (due to great rebuilding jobs from the likes of the Rockies, D'Backs and Marlins), some breakout stars and a couple key trades involving pitchers, the senior circuit could finally get the best of the American League.

For the first time since interleague play began, it's the NL that comes in dominating MLB's leader boards.

The Top 5 in hitting average are all from the NL, led by Chipper Jones with a .415 average.  The entire Top 5 in homers are from the NL.  And a whopping nine out of the Top 10 in OPS are from the NL, led by Lance Berkman with a 1.1280.

It doesn't get any better on the pitching side for the men from DH land.  The National League currently has three of the Top 5 leaders in Wins, Strikeouts and ERA.  Add in the fact that Dan Haren, who led the majors last season in interleague victories (4), and one of the most dominant pitchers in the game today, Johan Santana, are both now in the NL, and it won't be easy for the AL to score runs this weekend, even using the DH.

There is no way to tell for sure if the NL has completely caught up to, or surpassed, the AL in talent until the 'boys of summer' get on the field.  But there is an old saying that goes, "the numbers don't lie".

And the numbers are saying that this should be the most competitive interleague season yet.