Each morning, Monday through Friday, I'll hook you up with reading material to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday -- that way I'll have an excuse to do the same at the start of mine.
Running it back:
Orioles starter Brian Matusz retired just three of the 13 hitters he faced, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks in 1 1/3 innings during Sunday's 9-6 loss to the Rays. ... Wanting Zach Britton's rookie season to prolong into September, the Orioles have pushed back his next start a couple of days. ... The Mavericks beat the Heat on Sunday night to capture their first NBA championship. ... A wild and unpredictable Triple Crown season came to an appropriately stunning conclusion Saturday as 24-1 long shot Ruler On Ice won the Belmont Stakes.
Hitting the links:
1. Kevin Cowherd: Brian Matusz is a mess [Baltimore Sun]
2. Peter Schmuck: It might be time for the Orioles to start seriously pondering the mystery that is Jeremy Guthrie [Baltimore Sun]
3. It didn't take Dylan Bundy long to make a headline [ESPN]
4. What is wrong with Nick Markakis? [Big League Stew]
5. The Orioles are adversely affected by compensation rules in the draft [Chicaco Tribune]
6. Trent Dilfer thinks the owners will win the lockout [AP]
7. When the NFL lockout ends, will Ravens players be ready to get back to their pursuit of a title? [Baltimore Sun]
8. The Ravens will have interest in Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha [Ravens Insider]
9. Jarret Johnson is the most underappreciated Raven [ESPN]
10. There's another Flacco [Baltimore Sports Report]
11. Who are Baltimore football's 10 best ever? [CSN Baltimore]
12. There is no football for undrafted former Terps wondering if their NFL hopes can outlast the lockout [Baltimore Sun]
13. An Alex Ovechkin offseason update [The Score]
You said it:
"At first I was going to go on a anti-Steelers rant, but in reality, what is he supposed to say?" -- reader
grizzly228
has the proper reaction to LaMarr Woodley's prediction