Today is a very big and exciting day for Beltway sports fans as not only are our two local NFL teams teeing off their preseason games tonight, but the Orioles have also called up their #2 prospect. In somewhat shocking news the O’s called up Bowie SS Manny Machado today and he will most likely start in tonight’s series opener against the Royals. This was super unexpected because Machado wasn’t even doing that great in Bowie (hitting like .260) and after most of their recent prospects have disappointed in the majors, it was thought that they would take their time and let Manny mature as much as possible in the minors but I guess how many times do the O’s compete for the playoffs (once in 15 years apparently).
Not only that but the Ravens and the Redskins kick-off tonight in highly anticipated seasons for both. The Ravens are highly anticipated because they are one Cundiff shank from possibly being in the Super Bowl and the Skins are debuting their new Heisman trophy winning QB in RG3. (Also he has been in more commercials than I have ever seen a rookie athlete and maybe any athlete be in. Sometimes he is a bus driver or just working out but this dude is Peyton esk when it comes to the endorsements. His hair however is another story). The Skins kickoff against the Bills tonight (preview coming shortly) while the Ravens are taking on Sun’s Falcons (Preview coming from Kawa im sure!).
It’s going to be a tough decision television wise for the local viewers as you will have to flip back and forth between the contending O’s and the Ravens/Redskins debut. I assume most will watch mostly NFL action for the first hour and change (first half) then switch over to the O’s game for the last 4 innings or so. I do expect O’s fans to constantly check on the scores though and for when Machado will bat (if he starts). Personally I am going to go with the double dip and have probably the Skins game on the projector at my house (parents house obviously) and the O’s game on the solid sized screen next to it (probably like 45 incher). The real dilemma for us is which game gets the volume? Obviously can’t have both with volume because that would be horribly annoying. I think the Skins game will probably get the nod in the first half and the O’s game after that (probably will quickly switch volumes for Machado’s at bats if necessary). I am bummed because I did want to flip onto NFL network so I could watch some of the other games as well (I think they are doing an NFL red zone type thing where they show different parts of different games) but I’ll have to settle for doing that sporadically. No matter what it should be a solid sports viewing nights for beltway sports fans.