Interleague Play Begins!

The Molson Baseball League begins three weeks of interleague play this week. Sadly for baseball fans, most of the matchups look like first-round NCAA tournament games. In previous years, the MBL opened the year with interleague play, but these contests were moved toward the middle of the 2006 schedule as the league reoriented the schedule this year to balance home-and-away scheduling.

Interleague series feature home-and-away three-game sets against one division in the opposing league. In previous years, teams would play every team in the other league, but all games would be at one site. In 2007, the Capitol Division and Southern Division will square off while the Gateway Division and Rivals Division will meet for the first time since 2005.

Here's our viewers guide for the upcoming week.

Turn off Skinemax

Seattle vs. Boston. Freaky Friday? Pat Barry and Jack Buchanan square off against their former franchises in the highlight matchup of the week. Seattle has the second-best record in the league and Boston--motivated by pre-draft predictions of their doom--is tied with the New York Yankees for first place in the competitive Rivals Division.

Washington Nationals vs. San Francisco. There is no question the quality of baseball will be poor, but this is a series you have to watch like a bad accident, Big Brother episode, or a Bush speech. You have no idea how it will end, but you know it will be bloody. When the Giants face the Mariners or Red Sox, you know it will be tough, but both sides are interested in winning; with the Nationals, there are no such pretensions. Ultimate Fighting Championships has cancelled its shows this week in anticipation.

Have the New Orleans Mayoral Debate on in the Background

Chicago vs. Atlanta. One of the most evenly-matched series of the week, the White Sox and Braves will fight to turn around disappointing seasons as each is eight games or more under .500 and already 10 games out.

Washington Senators vs. Minnesota. Yes, this is a first-vs.-worst matchup, but the Twins--only two games under .500--are more competitive than half the teams in the MBL. Throw in the homer hankies, periodic air conditioning, and the Senators' slowdown from their early frantic pace, and you have a series.

Florida vs. Oakland. Will the real Marlins please stand up? After being all but handed the Capitol Division crown on draft day, South Florida is struggling to stay in playoff contention, currently six games off the pace. The Athletics, in contrast, are clearly on the upswing, fighting for a playoff berth perhaps a year earlier than many expected. Marlins' manager Earl Weaver could be in jeopardy if the Fish don't turn it around soon.

Toronto vs. New York Mets. The Mets need to do well to stay ahead of San Francisco in the race for the final American League playoff spot. The Blue Jays are victims of bad luck, outscoring their opponents by 30 runs this season despite their 28-32 mark.

St. Louis vs. San Diego. The wild card-favorite Cardinals should win against the horrendous Padres in a battle between French and Spanish saints. The Padres have allowed 322 runs this year--second worst in the MBL--despite playing in "pitcher's park." This series would land in the last category were it not for an interest in seeing how many home runs Albert Pujols can put up against the mustard men.

Watch American Dreams Instead

Los Angeles vs. Arizona. The first-place Dodgers should have no difficulty with the Diamondbacks, owners of the fewest wins in the MBL. Los Angeles should shoot the moon in the Gateway Division while Arizona returns to familiar drafting territory. The Snakes have allowed a whopping 380 runs thus far, almost a full run per game more than the second-worst Padres.

Tampa Bay vs. Cleveland. In another worst-vs.-first match, the high-flying Indians offense will bat against the worst pitching in the National League. The Devils Rays have talent, but are a few years away. In a sign of compassion, David Yamin has chartered busses to bring fans down from Detroit to see the renewal of the Lake Erie series.

Houston vs. New York Yankees. The Yankees--tied with Boston for first in the Rivals Division--match up well against the rebuilding Astros. Mark Hetterich has done well turning around a team that was always in the Dodgers' shadow, putting the Bronx squarely in contention. The Astros--with the demise of franchise MVP Jeff Bagwell--look as bad as they have in 15 years.