Baseball is a Funny Game

I get excited about interleague play. It's the one time during the season that I can fantasize about what it would be like to root for an American League team. I think about how awesome it would be to not have to watch a pitcher strike out the opposing pitcher every time through the lineup, and routinely see 10-8 final scores. This is nice, for an afternoon daydream anyway, until I come back to my senses. I watch basketball to see lots of scoring, I watch baseball to appreciate the emphasis on pitching and fundamentals seen in the National League.
Bringing me to my next point...baseball is a funny game. Monday night's Cubs-Rangers game pitted two home run based offenses against each other...in a hitter's ballpark...with the wind blowing out...playing by American League rules. So I was expecting one of those aforementioned 10-8 games.

The Cubs got their only run in the 2nd inning. Mike Fontenot doubled to lead off the inning, then Nady singled to left, advancing Fontentot to third. Geovany Soto grounded into a double play that brought the run home. And that was it for offense. The Cubs would scatter five more hits, four singles and one double.
Baseball is a funny game...Never did I think I'd see the day that Josh Hamilton lays down a bunt, but that's exactly what happened in the 4th inning after Vladimir Guerrero doubled to score Ian Kinsler. This is the same Josh Hamilton, power hitter, right? American League outfielder, playing by AL rules? Hamilton's bunt moved Guerrero to third. He was brought home by a Nelson Cruz double. And that was it for offense.
Baseball is a funny game...Texas's closer Neftali Feliz comes in to close the game out. He gets Xavier Nady to ground out to second. Then Lou Piniella has Tyler Colvin pinch hit for Geovany Soto. Literally two minutes before, they flash Feliz's numbers across the screen. Left-handers are hitting .098 against him, while right-handers are hitting .324. So Lou decides to pinch hit for the right-handed hitting Soto with the left-handed hitter Colvin.
Baseball is a funny game...Colvin hits a double to right field that provides a glimmer of hope that ultimately falls short.

Baseball is a funny game...Bob Howry just signed with the Cubs, again. He was released by the Diamondbacks after posting a 10.67 ERA in 14 appearances.
Bob Howry, the mere mention of his name causes me to turn red with anger. He deserves a spot on the list of most hated Cubs in recent memory, right alongside Todd Hundley, Milton Bradley, and LaTroy Hawkins.
Howry was absolutely awful for us. Here's how a typical at bat went:
1st pitch - Bob Howry throws 90 mph fastball belt high, hitter lays off.
2nd pitch - Bob Howry throws 90 mph fastball belt high, hitter fouls off behind the backstop.
3rd pitch - Bob Howry throws 90 mph fastball belt high, hitter either a) hits home run or b) hits double off the wall.
Yet, despite his terrible performances with us in years past, he is a low risk option, and with Zambrano moving back to the rotation, we need another righty in the bullpen. So Howry gets another shot. Baseball is a funny game...