Runs per Game 1972-2013: American v. National.

The old American League started using the designated hitter (DH) in 1973.  Except for 1974 the American League/Conference has averaged more runs per game than the National every season.

Source of data: baseball-reference.com




In 1972 National outscored American by 11.25%.  1996 had the highest R/G (5.39), biggest difference (.710) between American and National and highest percent difference (15.17%) using National as base, all favoring the American.

 AL NL Year AL-NL Year Dif/NL min 4.01 3.88 min -0.440 min -1.20% max 5.39 5.00 max 0.710 max 15.17%
1973 through 2013 (early June) rounded AL-NL: 4.65-4.37=.283

Most people think the difference is half a run per game but it's closer to a quarter of a run.  Here are the differences in recent seasons:
2013 0.360
2012 0.230
2011 0.330
2010 0.120
2009 0.390
2008 0.240
2007 0.190
2006 0.210
2005 0.310
2004 0.370
2003 0.250
2002 0.360
2001 0.160
2000 0.300

See previous post:
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Runs per Game 1972-2013.

Click link to view detailed data.