The Overlooked Home Stretch

Every year as baseball's last and most exciting month of the regular season approaches, college and pro football begin, and draw almost all of our attention away from America's pastime. Baseball is the only sport that doesn't have our undivided attention during the stretch run. As the NFL wraps up, the NHL and NBA are in midseason...which in an 82 game schedule can easily be ignored to fully enjoy the football playoff races. The NHL and NBA runs come in March and April respectively, and by the time the races really heat up, the hype of the NCAA tournament has faded. It is not as if there have not been some great finishes in the past. The Rockies 11 game win streak in 07 to propel them into the playoffs was classic.

So how is it that the interest and talk in a sport that is played once a week, and is in the beginning of its schedule, can outweigh the interest and talk in a sport that is played every night and only has a few games remaining? The answer is simple; fans of teams that have been out of the playoff race since late may have been waiting for salvation from their football team. These fans cannot truly get back into baseball until the playoffs start. In cities such as, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Baltimore, Cleveland, Washington, and more, their teams have been out of the hunt since Memorial Day and have long since lost interest. Even the diehard baseball fans of those teams tend to also be big football fans. Once the NFL season begins these diehards finally have hope again and they put baseball on the back burner. The NFL does not have this problem because only 16 games are played, and more teams make the playoffs; therefore more fans are in it until the end. Of course in a sport where each team plays 162 games, it is necessary to have a little number of teams make the playoffs to make the regular season more meaningful.
Although it may not be fair that baseball does not get our full attention for the home stretch, it is sure to flourish in the post season as usual. I hope it is a great October.

-JG

Houston's Finest Week Two NFL Picks

Last Week Record: 12-4

Overall Record: 12-4

With the first week of the NFL season and week two about to kick off its time to make my picks. A very entertaining yet in the end fairly predictable week one will not be followed up by a so predictable week 2. Week Two can be a make or break week, and there is only one thing every team wants on Sunday..and Monday...

...VICTORY

Carolina-Atlanta: Atlanta- Until I see something a little more like football from Jake Delhomme i'm not sure i could pick them. 

Minnesota-Detroit: Minnesota- No brainer here, the Vikings are the far superior team and indecisive Brett will be decisive on the field, unless he retires at half-time. 

Cincinnati-Green Bay: Green Bay- The Bengals are cursed in my books, so prepare for another long season Bengal fans. Aaron Rogers will take care of business in this one. 

Arizona-Jacksonville: Arizona- I think the Cards pull this one off, Boldin will be healthier and will show up big. Big game for both teams though trying to avoid the dreaded 0-2 start. 

Oakland-Kansas City: Oakland- The Raiders actually looked good on MNF but just not quite good enough, and that was against the Chargers, the Chiefs are no Chargers. 

New England-New York Jets: New York- J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS will be the chant heard throughout the grounds in Giants stadium. Sanchez and the defense looked very good against what I though was a solid Houston team. Rex Ryan looks like he knows exactly what he is doing. 

New Orleans-Philadelphia: New Orleans- This game got far easier to pick once McNabb was ruled out, too bad this wasn't one week later so we could get the Michael Vick Experience. Drew Brees and the boys with have enough offenses power to win the one. WHO ARE WE?

Houston-Tennessee: Tennessee- Man did the Texans look bad last week, being a Texans fan it is heart-breaking to pick against them, but I just cant see them winning after the pitiful performance against the Jets.   

St. Louis-Washington: Washington- Home Opener for the Skins and they rarely disappoint on home openers. Look for today to be no different against the Rams. 

Tampa Bay-Buffalo: Buffalo- Bills looked good against the Pats until McKelvin decided to lose the game for them. This one should be a good game and I expect T.O. to find the endzone for the first time as a Bill in this one. 

Seattle-San Francisco: Seattle- Hassleback looked good against the Rams and so did Julius Jones, big game from Matt to carry the Hawks to victory. 

Pittsburgh-Chicago: Pittsburgh- The Steelers pulled out the W against the Titans thursday night and have had 10 days to prepare this one, give Mike Tomlin 10 days and give yourself a win. 

Cleveland-Denver: Cleveland- The Broncos had no right to win that game against the Bengals, and the Browns actually showed small bursts of talent against the Vikings, and that is all its gonna take to beat the Broncos. 

Baltimore-San Diego: San Diego: Even without LT the Chargers will win this one. The back of the future could become the back of the present in this one. Sproles will show up for this one. And Philip Rivers is gonna go all PHILIP RIVERS on the Ravens. 

New York Giants-Dallas: Dallas- I can not see the Boys losing to anyone in their opening home game at the new colossal Cowboys Stadium. Looking forward to see which punter hits the board first. 

Indianapolis-Miami: Indianapolis- Peyton is going to torch the Dolphins secondary on way to victory. 

There they are, so now kick back, relax and enjoy the games! And of course HAPPY NEW YEAR

MH