Bud Selig: Expand Instant Replay

Being an umpire in Major League Baseball is harder then refereeing in any other sport as last night's Dewayne Wise drop that the umpire assumed was caught could have been a game-changing play as if the call was not wrong and called a dropped foul ball, Jack Hannahan could have hit a home run and changed the momentum and led the Indians to a comeback win which would put them in the playoffs, and instead, Hannahan gets ejected and the Indians lose, costing them a playoff spot. Now this is a very extreme and highly unlikely scenario but the point is, these calls can possibly change games and baseball needs to make sure they get it right.

Bud Selig has been hesitant to expand instant replay beyond fair and foul home run calls but we need to expand it to include other calls like safe/out calls at first base just like the Armando Galarraga almost perfect game call at first base by one of baseball's best umpires Jim Joyce. This expanded replay should also improve the trapped catches to see if an outfielder caught the ball before it hit the ground or if it bounced into the glove. Also, this replay can be used to decide whether a ball landed in fair or foul territory as there have been foul calls when the ball hit the line. So, the main question is how is this applied?

Major League Baseball should look at the way Little League Baseball has done their replay as they have it in the camera area right behind home plate with another umpire in there to help the umpire determine the call. Major League Baseball can look at the NFL in how they have someone in the press box looking at it and they can have the umpire go just off the field to one of the camera areas next one of the dugouts. This would allow calls to be quick and it would only add a couple of minutes to the game. The technology is good enough for Major League Baseball to expand instant replay and until they do, all these missed calls are Bud Selig's fault.

The MLB All-Rookie Team through June

Trout has been the best rookie in baseball this year

Rookies have made big impacts in the majors this year as these rookies may be the best group of rookies we have seen in a long time. So, who is on this all rookie team?

Montero has done well in Seattle

Designated Hitter: Mariners C/DH Jesus Montero
Catcher: Rockies C Wilin Rosario
The Yankees probably regret the Michael Pineda trade right now as Jesus Montero has been tearing it up in Seattle. Montero is definitely in the hunt for AL rookie of the year with his 8 home runs, 28 RBIs, and .270 batting average could help him make an All-Star appearance in Kansas City this summer. Rosario has not been in the majors too long as he only has had 135 at-bats but Rosario has done well behind the plate and he has also hit 9 home runs and 27 RBIs so far this season as Rosario could end up in the NL rookie of the year hunt this season.

Middlebrooks has been shining at Fenway

First Base: Cardinals 1B Matt Carpenter
Second Base: Phillies 2B Freddy Galvis
Shortstop: Reds SS Zack Cozart
Third Base: Red Sox 3B Will Middlebrooks
The Cardinals looked for someone to replace Lance Berkman after he picked up his injury and they found that in Matt Carpenter who has been driving in tons of runs with 20 RBIs. Freddy Galvis has been Chase Utley's replacement so far this season as he has been putting up some strong performances with 24 RBIs. However, Galvis has gone on the disabled list with a back injury which could really hurt him. Zack Cozart knows how to play baseball the right way as his defense is excellent while Cozart just knows how to do the little things that are needed to succeed at this level. Cozart has some power as he has hit 7 home runs while he has only commited six errors all season at shortstop. Will Middlebrooks has forced the Red Sox to adjust their lineup to fit Kevin Youkilis back in as Middlebrooks has been hitting well at the plate with 6 home runs, 24 RBIs, and a .289 batting average. Middlebrooks will be a contender for the AL rookie of the year this season.

Harper has become a regular starter in DC

Left Field: Athletics OF Yoenis Cespedes
Center Field: Angels OF Mike Trout
Right Field: Nationals OF Bryce Harper
Most people thought Cespedes would need to start out in the minors after Oaklad signed him but they started him from day one as his numbers would probably be more impressive if he would not have been on the disabled list for a month. However, Cespedes has still had six home runs and 26 RBIs while he has had two outfield assists from center field with his only error coming in a rare appearance in left field as he is definitely an AL Rookie of the year candidate. Mike Trout has been the spark that the Angels have desperately needed after they had some probelsm from sturggling outfielders. Trout has put impressive numbers with 6 home runs, 27 RBIs, a .324 batting average, and 16 stolen bases. Trout knows how to play the game right and will become a superstar in the near future. Trout could very well end up in Kansas City for the All-Star game and he is definitely the favorite to win the AL rookie of the year. Like Trout, Bryce Harper also knows how to play the game right as he is an all-around complete player just like Trout. Harper has been an immediate impact player since he got the chance after injuries plagued the Nationals start. Harper has cemented his spot in the Nationals' lineup with his 7 home runs, 19 RBIs, .294 batting average, and some great defensive plays thanks to his excellent speeed. This might be the best trio of rookie outfielders that baseball has ever seen.

Darvish has been a strong pickup for Texas

Number 1 Starter: Rangers SP Yu Darvish
Number 2: Diamondbacks SP Wade Miley
Number 3: Orioles Wei-Yin Chen
Number 4: Athletics SP Jarrod Parker
Number 5: Rays SP Matt Moore
Yu Darvish has been as good as the Rangers probably hoped he would be in his first season in the US as Darvish has had 88 strikeouts while keeping his ERA at a strong 3.57 over 13 starts with a record of 8-4. Wade Miley has been a key addition to the Diamondbacks rotation as he has been key to the Diamondbacks staying in the NL wild card hunt. Miley has had an ERA of 2.39 in his 13 appearances (10 starts) while he has only given up 17 walks and has a WHIP of 1.04 with a record of 7-3. Wei-Yin Chen has been a key part of the resurgance in Baltimore as he has been a key part of a rather weak rotation. Chen has had a 3.36 ERA this season with a record of 7-2 in 13 starts. Jarrod Parker was the center piece of the Diamondbacks trade package that they sent to Oakland in the Trevor Cahill deal. Parker has done well in 10 starts for the A's this year as he has a 2.82 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP but he has a record of only 3-3. Matt Moore had a break through performance at the end of last season for the Rays and despite a start that has not been as good as last year, Moore has still been fairly good. Moore has a 4-5 record witha 4.12 ERA as Moore as has an impressive 79 strikeouts so far.

Cook has been the best rookie reliever this year.

Left-Handed Reliever: Rangers LHP Robbie Ross
Right-Handed Reliever: Royals RHP Kelvin Herrera
Closer: Atheltics RHP Ryan Cook
Robbie Ross has been a good callup to the Rangers bullpen as the left-handed pitcher has given the Rangers another excellent option out of the bullpen with his 1.25 ERA in 25 appearances. Kelvin Herrera has made 31 appearances this season and he has been very impressive with an ERA of 3.22 but he also has had 33 strikeouts in 31 innings. Ryan Cook has been given the chance to take the closer role in Oakland as he has converted his three of his first four save appearances. Cook has had an excellent season in Oakland as he has an ERA of 0.61 and a WHIP of 0.84 in 28 appearances.

Interleague Play: The Big Weekend

What a weekend of games we have coming up in Major League Baseball as three of the National League's best take on three of the American League's best. So, what will happen in these big matchups.

New York Yankees at Washington Nationals

Harper has become baseball's newest star

The Nationals and the Yankees are the hottest teams in baseball as both teams have won six straight as the Nationals have won nine of their last eleven while the Yankees have won eleven of their last thirteen. The Nationals have the second best record in the majors while the Yankees have the third best. This is the undoubtedly best series in Interleague Play this year as both of these teams are World Series contenders. The Nationals rotation has been dominant and despite the fact that Stephen Strasburg is not pitching in this series, the Nationals have Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann, and Edwin Jackson pitching. All three of those starters are in the top 30 in ERA along with the aforementioned Stephen Strasburg. The Nationals have the best team ERA in baseball thanks to a dominant bullpen led by Tyler Clippard who has done well at taking the place of closer Drew Storen while he is injured.Offensively, the Nationals have been led by All-Star caliber first baseman Adam LaRoche who is tearing it up with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs which is the most RBIs for any first baseman in baseball. Meanwhile, the Nationals might have the NL rookie of the year in 19-year-old Bryce Harper. The thing that makes Harper a great young player is the fact that he plays the game right with his great hustle and high energy. Harper has earned his way into the Nationals lineup and a return minors may never happen unless he picks up an injury.

Jeter has turned back the clock this year.

The Yankees also have a very strong rotation and despite not having the fron two in their rotation pitching this weekend, the Yankees do have Andy Pettitte pitching this weekend. Pettitte has been a huge surprise this season as he has found his old form that allowed him to dominate. Also, Ivan Nova has got it going rcently as he has only allowed one run in his last 15 innings (last two outings). Just like the Nationals, the Yankees lost their closer Mariano Rivera and then his replacement, David Robertson. However, the Yankees have found the replacement and a dominate one in Rafael Soriano. After a rough first season in New York, Sorianohas refound the form that allowed him to be one of the best closers in baseball in Tampa. Curtis Granderson has become one of the biggest power hitters in the game as Granderson is putting more All-Star numbers with 19 home runs and 39 RBIs while Derek Jeter has turned back the clock and has been the table-setter like he has been in the past. This will be an exciting series and this could even be a World Series preview but I think the Nationals will take two of three from the Yankees.

Adam Jones has had a career year at the plate

Baltimore Orioles at Atlanta Braves
The Orioles have been one of the biggest surprises in baseball while the Braves have had a strong start despite a lack of depth in the rotation. The Orioles have been heating up recently with four straight wins while the Braves have lost four straight and are struggling. The Orioles have not had the best rotation but Jason Hammel has been stellar thisyear as he has become the ace of the staff. However, the Orioles have a great bullpen which is led by closer Jim Johnson who is dominating hitters and having a career year. Pedro Strop and Darren O'Day have also been key to the success of the Baltimore bullpen. The Orioles have alsohad some excellent production from their lineup led by star center fielder Adam Jones. Jones has been a key for the Orioles success this year as he has been driving in tons of runs and has been rewarded with a contract extension. Chris Davis has been secretly putting upbig power number as the Orioles first baseman has twelve home runs.

Brandon Beachy has become the Braves' ace.

The Braves have been in playoff contention though they have had some struggles against some of the best teams in baseball like the Nationals and Yankees. The Braves rotation has a lack of depth at the back end but they have an ace at the front in Brandon Beachy who has had a breakout year. The Braves' bullpen has not been as good as it was last year except for closer Craig Kimbrel who is proving once again why he is one of baseball's best in the ninth inning. Dan Uggla is once again hitting well as he has had a great start with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs as he received some support from teammate Freddie Freeman who is having a breakout year with 37 RBIs. The Braves need wins and they will take two of three from the Orioles in what will be an exciting series.

Adam Dunn has refound his home run stroe

Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles Dodgers
The White Sox have been a major surprise under first year manager Robin Ventura but the Dodgers have been a bigger surprise as they have the best record in baseball. The White Sox were not expected to be AL Central leaders but they are as Chris Sale has gone from a dominant reliever to one of the best starters in the American League. Jake Peavy has returned to the form that made his move to Chicago from San Diego so costly. The White Sox have not found a fit at clsoer as Hector Santiago was not any good while Addison Reed was not much better. However, Jesse Crain and Matt Thornton has been rock solid in the bullpen on the south side of Chicago. The White Sox has been electirc thanks in large part to the revival of Adam Dunn who has had 21 home runs in his second season in Chicago after an awful start to his White Sox career. Paul Konerko once again is swinging the bat well as he has a .366 batting average with 12 home runs and 35 RBIs.

Kershaw has been the ace for the Dodgers' rotation once again

The Dodgers have been baseball best so far and Clayton Kershaw is leading one of the best rotations in baseball as Kershaw has been in Cy Young form all year and will face off against Chris Sale Saturday in a great pitching duel. Kenley Jansen took over the closer's role midseason and has been dominant i that role ever since as Jansen could be the Dodgers' closer for years. Andre Ethier was recently rewarded with a contract extension as he led the Dodgers' offense since the injury of Matt Kemp as he has drove in 55 runs, hit 10 home runs, and has a batting average of .291. AJ Ellis has been a surpise as the Dodgers' catcher has been hitting for a batting average of .303 and an OBP of .436. This will be an exciting series but the White Sox are starting to cool off and that will continue as the Dodgers will sweep the White Sox out of LA.