TORONTO -- Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred supports changing the rule that expands active rosters from 25 to 40 each Sept. 1.Managers have expressed concern that the rule changes late in the season, allowing multiple pitching changes for right-lefty matchups. The issue is part of negotiations for a labor contract to replace the deal that expires Dec. 2.Controversy has arisen because of changes that have taken place in the game and the way the game is played, particularly the use of so many relievers, Manfred said Tuesday before the AL wild-card game. I do believe in a reform of those rules, again protecting the benefits that are available to players, Im not looking to take away service time or anything like that, but I do think it would make sense to get to a situation where we played out September games closer to the rules that we play with the rest of the year.I dont think 18 pitchers in a game is a good thing, Manfred added.Manfred hopes a new labor contract is in place before the start of the offseason business cycle. Teams have until the fifth day after the World Series to make qualifying offers to their former players who became free agents, and free agents can negotiate terms with all teams starting the following day.On other topics:ExpansionWhile again saying stadium issues in Oakland and Tampa Bay have to be solved before expansion beyond 30 teams would be considered, Manfred acknowledged in terms of scheduling, 32 teams is a nice number for us, Manfred said.FernandezAsked about the idea of naming an award in honor of late Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, Manfred said the shock of the situation has occupied baseball so far.I understand theres some strong feelings on this topic, he said. Its not the right time of year to be thinking about additional awards. But its an issue well talk about during the offseason. Obviously, we recognize the significance of Jose in terms of his importance to the Marlins franchise, and the fact that he was symbolic of the next generation of players.Home RunsManfred said testing has not revealed any difference in the ball that contributed to an increase in home runs.We are absolutely convinced this issue is not driven by a difference in the baseball, he said. My own view is the spike is related to the way the game is being played now, the way we are training hitters from a very young age. We have not been able to find any external cause that explains the spike in home runs.CubaBecause of the World Baseball Classic, no major league team is likely to play at exhibition game in Cuba during spring training.Wild cardManfred supports the one-and-done wild-card playoffs, now in their fifth year.We just had a final day of the season where you had all sorts of meaningful baseball games, and most of those meaningful games were related to the fact that we had a second wild card, he said. In terms of the games themselves, I understand that baseball doesnt usually have one-game knockouts, but I do believe these two games get our playoff season off to a really exciting start. Ive gone to the wild card games, each of them, the last two seasons. The atmospheres in the ballparks are phenomenal, and I think it gives a great jump start to our playoff season. Cheap Puma Shoes Wholesale . Defenceman Yannick Weber scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Canucks breathed a sigh of relief with a 2-1 win on Saturday night. Puma Shoes Wholesale China . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. http://www.cheappuma.net/ . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. Puma Shoes Sale Online . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. Discount Puma Shoes Sale . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. India and Pakistan have been grouped together in the 2017 mens Hockey World League Semi-final that will be hosted by London in June. Six teams have been confirmed for the ten-day tournament that is to take place from June 15 to June 25, 2017.India and Pakistan had also faced each other at the league stages of the 2015 Hockey World League Semi-final in Antwerp, where Ramandeep Singh had scored Indias two goals in a 2-2 draw.The six teams confirmed for the London event are India, Pakistan, England, 2016 Olympic champions Argentina, Netherlands and Korea. A further four teams will be confirmed next spring after a further round of qualifiers, taking the total number of competing nations up to ten. The likes of Ireland, Scotland and Wales are aimiing to qualify for this tournament.dddddddddddd?The other Semi-final is set to take place in July 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa, where the confirmed teams include Australia, Belgium, Germany, New Zealand and Spain.The Hockey World League, whose final is slated to take place in India in December 2017, serves as the main qualifier for the 2018 Hockey World Cup, which will be hosted by India and is the biggest hockey competition outside the Olympics.Three venues confirmed for the London Semi-final are the Olympic legacy venue, the Lee Valley Hockey and the Tennis Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. ' ' '