Just like anyone else who's covered the perennial disappoint ting Baltimore Orioles for the better part of last decade, I don't think this season feels any different than any of the other 13 previous losing seasons.

That, however, is on the outset, in a few months it may look a little different.  In the next few weeks I will desperately try to prove my point, even if O's fans around our viewing area already see it as a lost cause.

Point 1 - The Pitching

I believe that Orioles VP of Operations Andy McPhail looked at last season as "the sacrificial lamb" season.  2009 was a year for this team to begin the transition from the farm to the show.  By season's end most of the blue chips in the O's minor league system were able to mesh with the big club last season.

To eventually get where I want to go, let's start at the beginning.

Look at the starting rotation the Orioles began 2009 with:

1: Jeremy Guthrie: This guy is a solid pitcher and a young 30 years old (only 603 Major League innings pitched under his belt), but he will never lead a pitching staff.  In '09, Guthrie lost 17 games, may have pitched 200 innings, but he was flat out battered and beaten all over birdland.  Guthrie gave up on his third pitch (the curve, which he's trying to bring back), and facing the opposing teams top pitcher every fifth day was clearly taking a toll on him mentally and physically.

2. Alfredo Simon: Yeah, Alfredo Simon.  Believe it or not, the pasta-sauce man won the number two spot after a strong spring...he suffered a season-ending injury during his first start (a loss) of the season.  Not even sure he is still with the organization.

3: Koji Uehara: The O's were the only team willing to give this aging Japanese pitching star a chance to start.  He signed, struggled to go deep in games, and eventually broke down.  We'll see him this year in a long-relief role.

4: Mark Hendrickson:  Hailing from my hometown of York, PA.  Mark is a towering 6'10" tall.  Saw him throwing a simulated game one time at a batting cage back home.  He throws bafflingly slow for a guy his size.  He couldn't quite hack it starting.  But he did earn a contract extension due to his success as a reliever last year, he'll do the same in 2010.

Now here is the projected rotation for 2010

1: Kevin Millwood: Diss him only as an average "ace".  But Kevin "Millwood" Ave. has survived in this league for the past 7-8 seasons as the number one pitcher for Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Texas.  Unlike Guthrie, he'll take the hill against the top pitchers in the AL, and stand tough....it would be really surprising if he finishes 2010 with a winning record, but an ERA under 4.00 isn't out of the question.  No doubt he has a pretty hefty salary, but considering all this team had to give up was failed closer Chris Ray....I like the move.

2: Jeremy Guthrie: He won't sit back and relax as the new number 2, scouts and beat writers have always raved about Jeremy's work ethic.  If he gets his curveball to actually curve, and locates his fastball, Guthrie will undoubtedly resemble the same pitcher that had a sub 3.70 ERA for 2007 & 2008.

3: Brad Bergesen: Of all the highly touted Oriole rookie pitchers to make their debut last year, Bergesen was the least celebrated, yet he made the biggest impact.  It's kind of a laugher that this kid hurts his shoulder throwing for a MASN commercial last month, but it doesn't seem to be serious and all reports have him ready for opening day.  Bergesen can dominate a game with his sinking fastball and above average off-speed pitches, but the league now has a lot more tape on him.  Sophomore slumps happen when the league gets smarter and you don't adjust.

4: Brian Matusz: The ace of the future.  Well built left-hander with 4 above average pitches (4 and 2-seam fastball, change up, and curve).  He shot up through the entire farm system in less than a year, and barring injury seems poised to take a major step forward.

5: Chris Tillman: Overpowering stuff, former Minor League pitcher of the year for this organization.  Picture perfect mechanics, coupled with dynamite velocity.  Like Matusz, he's a future leader of this staff.

and if anyone falters or hits the "DL" ....guys like Jake Arrieta, Troy Patton and Chris Britton wait in the wings.  Each expected to make their major league debuts at some point in 2010.

See the difference yet?