Opinion

It usually isn't a surprise to see the left side of the Yankee infield in the All-Star game; Derek Jeter has 10 All-Star games under his belt and Alex Rodriguez has 12.

But this year's All-Star Game in Anaheim, California could see Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano accompanying A-Rod and Jeter.

Cano is probably having the best year of the lot, batting .338 with nine home runs and 28 RBI heading into tonight's game. So his numbers should speak for themselves, and I believe he will be a starter.

The New York Yankees are 25-16 and playing like the team they were at the end of last year.

But there is just one problem they can’t seem to stay healthy at all this year.

The Mets were the team plagued by injuries last year, but now it seems that the Yankees have taken that roll this season.

Trevor Hoffman is the all time leader in saves with 596 (as of May 21, 2010) in 18 seasons. 

After playing for the San Diego Padres for a long time, Hoffman was acquired by the Milwaukee Brewers before the 2009 season.

In 2009, Hoffman excelled as a closer with the second lowest season ERA of his career with 1.83—saving 37 games to add to his resume. It seemed like this guy was a machine, and his career would never end.

But Hoffman's 2010 season has been miserable.

Dramatization: A game between the Phillies and the Reds at the Great American Ball Park, as told by Bleacher Report broadcasters Cliff Eastham and Illya Harrell.

Cliff: Host

As a proud Minnesotan I will always be a Twins fan, but I have to tip my hat to baseball enthusiasts in Oakland.

The residents of the East Bay who attend Athletics games may be few in number, but they remain faithful to a team that was once dominant, but has recently fallen from grace, now that big-market teams like the Yankees and Red Sox have commandeered the MLB, setting it on a collision course that can only be avoided with a drastic change in league management.

Who is Brennan Boesch and why is he being mean to American League pitchers?

Boesch, pronounced “BOSH,” as in the pro basketball behemoth, wasn’t called up by the Tigers, he was unleashed.

For several seasons, Tigers fans have cried for a hefty lefty in their batting order.

Now here comes Boesch, 25, as if dropped from the heavens.

Here’s a look at some unheralded players who played well yesterday.

Luke Hochevar, Kansas City Royals

Hochevar threw a complete game, allowing three runs on four hits with seven Ks, to improve to 4-2 with a 5.37 ERA.

Laynce Nix, Cincinnati Reds

When looking at the Mets this year, fans can see there is one thing they truly lack: charisma.

Jerry Manuel is known for his laid back attitude and approach to the game. So far this has been terribly unsuccessful. He has a 147-152 record since taking over as Mets manager midway through the 2008 season. Mediocrity is not acceptable in New York.

The Mets need a charismatic manager who brings fire and passion to the game. The team needs to be energized. The perfect manager for the job is Bobby Valentine.

The mystery injury to John Maine last night leaves the Mets starting rotation in a bigger mess than we thought it was already. And it couldn’t come at a worse time for Jerry Manuel.

Many of us already have a death watch on his managerial career. Of course, injuries aren’t his fault but he needs some good things to happen soon.

It was one of those humbling moments that reminds you why the fans pay to go to the game and sit in the 400-level while the coaches get paid to go to the game and sit in the dugout.

In the Phillies' half of the sixth inning of a 1-1 game against the Cubs on Tuesday afternoon, Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins came to the plate with two outs and runners on second and third.