Jeremy Guthrie wouldn't be the ace on most teams. In Baltimore, he's the clear-cut No. 1 starter.
While his status in the starting rotation might come by default, Guthrie brings a steadying force to a staff in need of direction. After Guthrie and Japanese import Koji Uehara, the Orioles rotation is still a work in progress. Looking at the big picture, it's a rotation very much in flux. In fact, beyond next season, there is no guarantee Guthrie and Uehara will be in the top half of the rotation.
Guthrie, who recently was asked by the club to return from the World Baseball Classic to begin preparing for the 2009 season, will face the likes of C.C. Sabathia, Josh Beckett, Roy Halladay and James Shields with regularity in his third full season with the Orioles.
Guthrie, 29, went 10-12 with a 3.63 ERA in 30 starts last season. His season was cut short because of a shoulder impingement, one year after an oblique strain truncated his rookie year.
In 78 career games, Guthrie is 17-17 with a 3.89 ERA. For Guthrie, a successful season would be a complete one.
Guthrie, who allowed six runs and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings of Team USA's loss to Venezuela, wasn't scheduled to pitch again in the World Baseball Classic, so the Orioles requested that he return to Fort Lauderdale. He still must work with new catcher Gregg Zaun to establish a rapport.
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