Friday, April 14, 2006

Parody and Pharmacokinetics

In today's installment of Diff's Drivel, I feel it is time to elaborate on what I have seen thus far this season.

First, has anyone else noticed the parody we are seeing (especially in the AL) so far this season. Nine of the fourteen teams in the AL are either 4-5, 5-5, or 5-4; while the top 2 AL squads (Boston and Cleveland) are only 6-3. I find that stat quite amazing. The NL is not as dramatic, but the Central is shaping up to be quite a battle with 5 teams being separated only by 1 game with the Cardinals currently the 5th place team in that division. I just hope the season continues on like this and continues to pump out fantastic games like yesterday's extra inning thriller between the young Brew Crew and the Cardinals. Carlos Lee almost single handedly gave the Brewers the victory with his combination of HR saving catch off the bat of Juan Encarnacion in the bottom of the 10th to his solo blast in the 11th. It pains me to say this, but I am starting to like this young Brewers squad.

Pharmacokinetics is one of the hottest topics in sports currently. Ranging from Bonds' potential perjury to the strict regulations and testing methods that the evil Bud Selig has implemented. I on the other hand would like to tackle an issue that I feel is affecting the game on a greater scale, amphetamines. Amphetamines, other wise known as "greenies" have been widely used by players for years, particularily by pitchers, to get more amped up before hitting the hill. It is widely thought that pitchers are ahead of hitters at the beginning of the season and that is why run production is usually down early. Not this season however. Most people thought with the scrupulous steroid testing that HR's would be down. However, just the opposite has been seen thus far. Yesterday alone, 48 home runs were hit during 15 games or a little over 3 per game. Without actually calculating the numbers, and going just off of what I have seen, it seems to me that the middle innings of games have been producing a lot more runs in the first couple weeks of the season. Red Bull, Espresso, and Soda have now become the norm in the clubhouses, but Red Bull and Soda spike your glucose levels and you have a quick high, followed by a dramatic low in your glucose levels causing you to become tired and lethargic. So as far as JD's Jabber is concerned, steroids is not the major issue in today's great game, it is the stimulants the players were using to stay amped up.

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Inaugural Post

I have finally gotten around to creating a blog allowing me to discuss idle banter regarding sports (predominantly baseball) and happenings in the Pacific Northwest. Today is the first posting of what I hope is a daily venture expounding on the great game. This will include discussions on recent games, upcoming games, and my gambling picks to click. In regards to the picks to click, a running tally will be kept of winnings (or losses) occurred.

In addition to the baseball banter, I will highlight the goings on in the life of the better half and I as we forge through life in the great Pacific Northwest.

Welcome, and I hope you enjoy my drivel.