After watching the past few days of the 2010 Little League World Series from Williamsport, (Yes, I really was that bored) I STILL can't see why Bud Selig hasn't opted for instant replay. In the LLWS, there have been a few challenges, even some overturned calls (In case you haven't watched, managers can challenge just about any call- Excluding judgement calls, of course, and can keep challenging UNTIL THEY ARE WRONG. After an incorrect challenge, the manager cannot challenge until extra innings.). The umpires are happy, I'm happy, the players are happy.

So, how would this work in the majors? Well, you could have 5-man umpiring crews, and put one of them in a booth indoors with access to the replay equipment. Or, you could go in the NFL's direction and put a monitor in, let's say, a camera well, that way there is no need to leave the field.

How does this relate to a Tigers blog? Galarraga. 'nuff said.

Why can't our Tigers seem to put 2+ wins in a row together? Take tonight, for example. The night before, they gave those idiot highly competitive Guillenites White Sox a good Mo-town mashing. Today, THEY CAN'T EVEN SCORE A &*#^@*ng RUN!!!!!!!!!! What's going on? A number of things...

First, the bullpen just hasn't been consistent enough- Take a look at the Boston series. Jose Valverde gave up more runs in the 1.1 innings that he pitched than the starters gave up in the NEXT TWO GAMES!!!!! And that's just the start of Detroit's problems. Ryan Perry, who might be a really nice kid and a good baseball player, just doesn't have it in 2010. It's sorta reminiscent of Edwin Jackson in the second half of 2009: The ball is flying out of its stitches to get into the stands. He just can't control that 95-97 mph fastball that he has. (Now that I think about it, he might be like the 2009 Joel Zumaya, just with less injuries and facial hair)

But, we can't blame everything on the bullpen. The Tigers offense has been anemic (more like comatose) the last 2-3 weeks. I'm sorry, but when you can't score against Cleveland, you might just have a problem. The addition of Jhonny Peralta might help, but one player an offense does not make. Also, Brennan Boesch has been in a slump lately. (as if you needed me to remind you of that) It's really quite sad to watch a young man who was, at one point, hitting .350-.360 for an extended period now have an after-game party when he just gets on base by going 0-3 with a walk. (I'm not saying that he does ... But I'm saying that it's becoming more of a special event when he gets on base)

All told, 8 games back for any other team might be a closeable gap with 50+ games left to be played. But for the Tigers.... we'll have to see.

Edited 10 a.m.