Angels' Pujols and Haren smash the Mariners together

Just tonight (Thursday, May 24, 2012), the Mariners were delivered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Angels. If you have been following their games, then I am sure you know why: Albert Pujols excellent hitting, and Dan Haren's incredible pitching.

Pujols almost stole the limelight from Haren tonight as he pulled three hits, one of which was his 450th career home run. Of course, Haren kept most of his thunder from being stolen by striking out a career-high 14 batters during the game. Watch out!

"He makes good hitters look pretty bad including myself, he has in the past," says teammate Pujols. "He is pretty amazing when he keeps the ball down."

During the game, Haren happened to also seal his 1,500th career strikeout, making the night quite eventful for both of the Angels players. Naturally, they only had good things to say about each other, but on their somewhat less-eventful wins-loss ratio, Haren remarks, "I'm happy obviously to win a game. I forgot what it felt like."

Hopefully, he won't have to forget again.

MLB changes play-off format to include 10 teams, up from 8

So we have just a month left until the baseball stadiums across the country open their gates to allow in the deluge of fans, eager to partake in some good ol' American past-time. Of course, with each season of sports, we see a slight change in the rules, and now it's baseball turn!

Even a team in their league's third-place spot can go to the World Series, as they have expanded their play-off format to include 10 teams, whereas before it only accepted 8. There is nothing but good words for the new set-up, as well, from all corners of the baseball world.

"It's a good thing for baseball. That seems to be what the people want," says Jim Leyland, and I believe he has hit it right on the money.