Yes and no...

Well, in one way, that was an improvement. Any time you guys score ten runs, I can't complain too much.

And yet... We still almost lost it. Even with the win, we had an poor stay in Philly, and not just because the room service was bad. Bruney continued to keep on his pace by looking very uinimpressive, giving up 4 runs in 2/3s of an inning. Webb wasn't comfortable out there. We were outscored 7-3 after the second inning. The team continued to look out of sorts, like there's some factor that still needs to be filled in. Maybe it's something on the field, maybe it's something in the clubhouse. It's hard to say, but something needs to happen to get them out of this mental funk.

If you've watched a game in Denver this season, you kind of have to wince when you hear about Clint Barmes and his unfortunate tumble down the stairs, and not just because a broken collarbone sounds painful. The Rockies haven't been tearing up the league so far, and you just know that losing the man who led the team in runs, RBIs, and OPS is just going to hold them back more. I forsee the Denver crowds just getting more angry at this, and they've shown themselves to be none too patient in what I've seen. I expect BK Kim to be burnt in effigy within a month.

The Twins come to town, in another classic match-up between natural rivals. Who can forget the epic struggles we've fought back and forth, storied battles that will forever echo through the Halls of Baseball Valhalla? No, wait, sorry, I keep confusing the Twins with the Black Armies of the Dark Lord Sauron. I think everyone makes that mistake a lot. But remember when Gonzo faced off with the Ring Wraiths? That was cool.

I've been giving it some thought, and I think I've come up with a few suggestions for team matchups I'd like to see in interleague play. They may not have the geographical ties they try to give us (Kansas City at San Francisco, anyone?) but they would add spice to the game.

-Seattle and Florida - this series starts to tonight, and really triggered the thought process. The Mariner Housewife and I had similar considerations about this- this is not just two unrelated teams from across the country playing a fairly unimportant series, this is the struggle of man against nature, of the sailor against the uncaring sea, of fisherman against fish.

I also suggested that it was because their names were similar. But either one works.

-Chicago and Detroit - in this vicious battle, nature turns upon itself, and that time honored question is answered- who would win in a fight, a bear or a tiger? Mankind has wondered for eons, and now baseball can finally give us the answer.

-Tampa Bay and San Diego - Our struggle turns to a more spiritual light here, as we no longer face mortal concerns. Rather, we have the forces of evil, the Devil Rays, fighting against the armies of God, the Padres. Does this mean that Tampa's closer is the Antichrist?

-Kansas City and Washington, New York and Cincinnati - We return to earth and let political worries be settled the way they were meant to be- with baseball! Our American Revolution is fought in a microcosm, as the Royals and the Nationals duke it out. And then we'll settle the Cold War our way, when the Yankees face down the Reds.

-Atlanta and Texas - Remember the days of the Wild West? When settlers traveled in covered wagons, bands of indians roamed the plains, and lawmen tried to civilize a rough region. We'll travel back to this rough-and-tumble time, when the Rangers fight off the Braves!

So, Major League Baseball, how about it?