Chargers' Opener / O's Recap

Hangoverblog. Ugh.

So after watching the first of 21 (that's right, I said 21) total Steelers games including preseason this year, I had the opportunity to actually see a small clip of O's baseball on the television. Granted, it was on FSN, but since New England Terrible News Network refuses to acknowledge at least 10 teams in the league exist, I appreciated it. I saw the two clips of Millar smashing homers, despite one good attempt by Josh Hamilton to nab one of them.

The untold (at least by TV) story is definitely Jeremy Guthrie. Despite being 9-8, he has a paltry 3.26 ERA in the mighty AL East, and 163 IP, good enough for, oh, 2nd in the AL. His WHIP is microscopic compared to most pitchers, at just 1.17. He hit the 100 K mark last night, and the lowest pitch count he's had in the past 10 games was 93. Minimum innings over that span? 5 2/3. How is this guy not considered an ace?

Despite having a better ERA than almost all of Boston's rotation (damn Lester), all of New York's, all of Tampa Bay's, all of (you get the picture), no one mentions him on a national level. Then again, Jason Bay apparently didn't exist until he was a Red Sux player. And then he was the best player you (note: you means Boston and New York only) never heard about.

Therefore, it's time for a new section I'd like to call Guthrie Watch. Tune in Wednesday night or Thursday for episode 1.

On to the only game that might be slower than baseball. During the estimated 3,419 stoppages in play during the Steelers game last night, I had a chance to take stock in preseason hype and expectations surrounding the Chargers. Naturally, I believe LT and Rivers will get little to no playing time against the Cowjokes. Maybe Jerry Jones will scream in his coach's ear during an important game again sometime this season. That really helps, which is why they're selling the Cowboys' 2008 Super Bowl victory DVDs to the same kids they gave those 19-0 shirts to in Africa.

Doing some news searching, and it appears Rivers might not even enter the first preseason game. But you can tell his recovery's going well, check out this picture:

That Asian dude is all business.

So really as long as LT, Rivers, Gates etc. are healthy for game 1 against the, let's see... Carolina Panthers? OK, as long as they're ready for week 2 against the Broncos, I'm happy.

Time to watch me some Olympics. Water polo airs tomorrow afternoon! Go O's!

- Matt