June 8, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino (8) hits a one-run RBI single in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE

At the risk of sounding like a bitter old man, I do not like interleague baseball.  I know that you all couldn’t sleep before this long awaited match-up with the baseball team from Baltimore.  In addition you keep those damn kids out of my yard and if they hit that ball in here so help me God I am keeping the damn thing.

Joe Blanton has been terrible.  I feel like we have all been waiting for him to have a “bounce back” start for the last month or so.  I am beginning to get the feeling that there may not be too much bounce back left in the big right hander.  He pitched better than his line in the opener versus Baltimore.  He allowed seven hits and five runs in 6 2/3 innings of work.  Luckily, Jake Arrieta is absolutely terrible.  He managed to give up nine runs in his four innings of work. 

The offense capitalized on Arrieta’s terribleness for a run in the first, six in the second and another two in the fourth.  Shane Victorino did some major damage with an RBI single in the first, a two run double in the second and a two run homer in the sixth.  Jim Thome looks like he may have something left after all, especially when the opposing pitcher has an ERA in the fives.  Jim went 3-5 batting clean up and didn’t look like his back was going to fall off.

The Orioles got two home runs from J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis and managed to scare everyone on account of the awful pitchers in the Phillie bullpen.  Does everyone remember last year when Jonathan Papelbon completed the Red Sox collapse by allowing a hit to Robert Andino?  He got him out today and remained perfect in save opportunities.  9-6 win for the Phils is a duel of terrible pitchers.

The moment that everything seemed to be going the Phillies way was in the top of the second inning when they scored six runs.  It bears mentioning that even a seven run seems unsafe right now, but once Chooch singled in Shane Victorino, I felt pretty good about the outcome of this one.

The most attractive play of the game was Jim Thome’s ground rule double in the second.  Watching Thome DH and smash the crap out of the ball makes you wonder why the hell he came to the national league.  Anyway, it was nice to see big Jim contribute.

The hero of the game was Shane Victorino.  Shane hasn’t had one of these type of games in a while.  He was 3-4 with five RBI, two runs scored and a near incomprehensible postgame interview.

Today’s villian was Buck Showalter for taking out Jake Arrieta.  Doesn’t he know that the Phillies have lost a crap ton of games in a row?  Some people.

Next up is Vance Worley versus Tommy Hunter.  I wonder if Jake Arrieta is available in relief……we can only hope and seriously, stay out of my damn yard.

So, let’s dip on down to Baltimore, where those bottom-dwelling Orioles are… running the show?!

Yes, the Orioles are still contenders, and it’s June, so naturally, our rebound after getting swept at home in four games will be to play a hot young talented team that seems to be coming into their own, in their stadium.  Matt from Orioles site Roar from 34 lets us know just how bad things are going to get after the jump.

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The Baltimore Orioles are in first place. Wait, let it sink in…the ORIOLES are in first! The team has defied logic and science, and continue to hold onto what most consider to be the toughest division in the AL. The baseball world has been waiting for them to come down to earth, but they may have to wait a while longer. The short answer to their puzzling success is power. The O’s have mashed 78 team home runs, led by speedy outfielder Adam Jones (16). Jones hasn’t been the only hot hitter on the team, but his play earned him a new contract extension of 6 years and 85.5 million. I bet the Seattle Mariners are regretting that Eric Bedard trade right about now.

Player to Watch: Closer Jim Johnson

"Johnson has been shaking the catchers hand a lot this season (18 times to date)" Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE

While the Orioles have been fueled by their propensity for the long ball, the unsung hero of this ball club has been closer Jim Johnson. The O’s have been able to overcome poor starting pitching in part with their hot hitting, but have locked down the 9th with Johnson. He has 18 saves on the year with a 1.38 ERA. He doesn’t overpower anyone, but he keeps the ball down and misses the barrel of the bat with his sinking and tailing pitches. Anyone paying attention to Johnson’s 2011 season shouldn’t be shocked by his numbers. He was “Mr. Everything” for the O’s pen las season pitching 91 innings, earning him the closers job at the end of the year. The Phillies would be wise to avoid seeing the stingy closer as much as possible if they hope to come away with W’s.

Most Hated Oriole: Camden Yards

Here me out on this one. The O’s ballpark has been the inspiration for the modern day boom of stadiums across the country. From Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Houston, to our very own Citizens Bank Park the contemporary ballpark lineage traces back to Camden Yards. What none of them have done though (no disrespect to the bank) is do it just as well. When people go to Orioles games they go primarily to see the park, not the team. While the “experience” factor is important in Philadelphia too, people show up to see the Phils just as much as the ambiance. Camden Yards is a modern day shrine, which draws the ire and jealousy of teams trying to emulate its success. Its like how every child with Jr. after his name feels. If you haven’t made plans this weekend, go down to Baltimore and take in Camden Yards. No matter how many stadiums are built it will always be one of the best.

Series Prediction:

1) The pitching trio of Blanton, Worley, and Lee serve up multiple deep flies, which the Phils are unable to duplicate.

2) Jim Thome makes his long awaited “DH” debut…and continues to struggle finding his timing after a long layoff.

3) The Phils draw a huge road crowd as usual, but give them nothing to cheer about. Fans can be found sulking all the way up I-95 after the weekend.

Minnesota Twins

As bad as the Phillies have been this year, at least they aren’t the Twins. The only thing in Minnesota worth watching has been their beautiful new ballpark (still no Camden Yards). The team has struggled in nearly every aspect. They can’t find any consistent pitching, with a team ERA over 5. Coupled with the fact that their staff K/9 are a meager 5.85 (not even a full point about their ERA!) shows just how bad their staff has been. The M & M boys aren’t the same tandem that led the Twins to division titles in years past. Morneau can’t stay on the field long enough to get any consistency at the plate, and Mauer still has yet to develop the power you wan’t out of a 3-hole hitter. If the Twins are smart, they will get Mauer out from behind the plate to protect his future, as he’s about the only building block that’s not available to be traded. The fact that the media are already labeling the Twins as deadline sellers says it all.

Player to Watch: OF Josh Willingham

"Wish we signed this guy" Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE

Most fans will remember Willingham from his days in a Marlins uniform. Believe it or not he is 4 years removed from playing for the Fish, and was even rumored as a potential left field option for the Phillies in the offseason. Ruben Amaro wishes he made a bigger push for the Willingham as he has been one of the lone bright spots for the Twins. He is slugging over .570 and has belted 11 home runs while playing his home games in a spacious ball park. Its easy to second guess the Phillies moves, but how much better would this lineup be with another hitter with some pop?

Most Hated Twin: C Joe Mauer

The young Minnesota native just makes it look easy. Mauer may not be Robert Redford from the natural, but his swing is a thing a beauty. Maybe it’s the blue collar, work hard mentality of this city, but its hard to like players who are just that gifted (unless they play for the Phils of course). He always seems to hit well over .300, knock in big runs, all while working 9 innings behind the plate. If that’s not enough to irk you, keep in mind that he is last contract extension was 180 million dollars! Mauer’s only redeeming quality may be his sense of humor (see head and shoulders commercial). Not bad Joe, but you’re no Peyton Manning.

Fansided Perspective: Nate and Shawn of Puckett’s Pond break down the latest from the Twin Cities.

Shawn: They are mostly interent shenanigans. Honestly, it could be a smart move for the Twins if Morneau can stay healthy and probably kick up his production another notch. I think he will probably be a better trade candidate next year due to the amount he is still owed and the risk. The Twins could trade him this year, but most of what they would receive would be salary relief. He’s too popular in the state and the clubhouse to trade merely for financial means. I still find it hard that they’d trade him at all.

"If the rumors are true, Morneau could be wearing different colors soon" Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Nate: It would be very logical to trade Morneau, so I doubt it’s just internet shenanigans. The Twins are in last place, they need to rebuild, and Morneau is a high-priced veteran a year and a half from free agency. His average and OBP are a bit low right now, but he is still bringing the power. If the Twins ate part of his salary, I think a contending team would consider trading some good prospects for him. Morneau has always been one of my favorite players, but I think trading him would be the right thing to do.