File this under why I loathe interleague: This article notes the likely arrangement for interleague next year, and points out that the Pirates may finally get to play the AL East formally. The kicker will be if we actually get to complete the circuit. Even at this point the Pirates have yet to play either Baltimore or the Yankees. This wouldn't annoy me so much, were it not that these are the only two teams the Pirates would want to play on historical grounds, rather than geographical. (No disrespect to Boston and Detroit folks, but reliving either the 1903 or 1909 series just isn't doing it. Not enough centenarians around here, despite our petrifying demographics, sorry.) Since 1927, the Pirates have played in four World Series, two against the Yankees (1927, 1960), two against the O's (1971, 1979). It's not that I actually expect MLB to the throw us the bone, and given it would involve a sacrifice by two of the most powerful owners in the league, I really don't expect it to happen, unless there is no choice for them. So we'll see.