MIKE AND MIKE

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THE BIG QUESTION
Yes, it's just spring, but the Rays, Marlins and A's are looking good. What's that about? Mike & Mike mull the ugly truth.

GREENY
Steve Phillips had an interesting thought about this. He believes we're seeing a decline in offensive numbers because teams and players have been scared straight by the Mitchell investigation and the possibility of humiliation. So a team like the Tigers, which wanted to win with three-run home runs, is suffering, while teams that play small ball and manufacture runs are winning. For now, we're going to see the Rays, A's, Marlins and Twins win
in ways no one expected.

GOLIC
We just have to see if it lasts. Nobody wants steroids in any sport, but it's universally acknowledged that the home run chase brought back baseball in the late 1990s. And that coincided with the steroids era. Sure, purists would love to go back to small ball, but is that style of play going to be accepted by the casual fan?

GREENY
The parity we're seeing could also be dangerous for the game. MLB would love to have the Rays and Marlins be competitive into September, but I don't think it wants any part of either of those teams in October. People can bemoan a lack of parity all they want, but the reality is, when the ALCS comes, who draws bigger ratings: Red Sox vs. Yankees or Twins vs. Rays? We all know the answer.

GOLIC
But remember that many players who tested positive for steroids were pitchers. We're talking about offense being down, but it's harder to tell how it's affecting the other side of things.

GREENY Or how long the dip will last. If numbers go down and we stop talking about steroids, the pressure might lessen and players may become less afraid to juice again. For better or worse, much of the onus is on Congress now.

THE MIKES ON …
Can Candace save the WNBA?

GOLIC Parker isn't going to compel people to suddenly tune in. She is a great player, but other great players have come out of college, and none of them made a tremendous impact.

GREENY I disagree. Parker's presence certainly won't make fewer people tune in, and as women's college hoops grows there will be more interest in following the players as pros.

PREDICTIONS SURE TO GO WRONG
GOLIC The NHL won't recapture the public eye until Crosby's Penguins win the Stanley Cup.
GREENY Sid will get the attention, but Hockeytown will once again reign supreme: The Wings will raise the Cup.

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