ALCS: Jeremy Guthrie Will Start A Playoff Game Monday Night

Jeremy Guthrie will start a playoff game Monday night as the Kansas City Royals try to extend their ALCS lead over the Baltimore Orioles at Kauffman Stadium.

Yes, that Jeremy Guthrie.

Live Feed

Phillies, Padres, and more: Lessons from the 2022 postseason /

Call to the Pen

In the end, three true outcomes doom Philadelphia PhilliesCall to the Pen

Heroes and goats: Key performances in the 2022 World SeriesCall to the Pen

The case that Astros closer Ryan Pressly was real World Series MVPCall to the Pen

With World Series power, Kyle Schwarber sets unique home run markCall to the Pen

Are fluke teams like the Phillies good for baseball?Call to the Pen

Yes, the affable, funny pitcher whom the Rockies traded to Kansas City as a broken man after a disastrous half season in Colorado back in 2012.

Yes, the same Jeremy Guthrie whom the Rockies actually traded for Jonathan Sanchez that same summer. Jonathan Sanchez! That’s where Guthrie was at when the Rockies made that deal.

Yes, the same veteran starting pitcher who was one of two parts of a trade that was rightfully called “Junk Swap!” by Aaron Gleeman of Hardball Talk.

Yes, the same Jeremy Guthrie who might be the most damning case yet for the Rockies as they try to attract talented pitching to Colorado. In the 19 appearances he made after the Rockies acquired him from the Baltimore Orioles, Guthrie went 3-9 with a 6.35 ERA. His results since then have been decidedly better:

2013: 15-12 in 33 starts with a 4.04 ERA
2014: 13-11 in 31 starts with a 4.13 ERA

Yes, the same Jeremy Guthrie who turned back into the same pitcher the Rockies needed him to be immediately upon leaving Colorado. To struggle as a flyball pitcher is one thing, but Guthrie went from solid in Baltimore to incompetent in Colorado and then back to solid in Kansas City.

Yes, the same Jeremy Guthrie who played catch with a random fan on the field at Coors Field, only to find out that fan was a cancer survivor who had just learned that he was clear of the disease. We saw a glimpse of the awesome Guthrie, if briefly.

Yes, the same Jeremy Guthrie who spitefully and sarcastically tipped his cap to the Rockies’ crowd after an especially bad start.

Yes, the same guy who turned things around in such short order that he inked a three-year, $25 million deal that same off-season back in 2012.

Yes, that Jeremy Guthrie is scheduled to start Game 3 of the ALCS on Monday night (weather permitting), pitching for a team that appears to be on its way to a World Series berth.

Yes, that Jeremy Guthrie will remind Rockies’ fans everywhere just how cruelly unpredictable baseball can be.

More from Rox Pile

Home/Colorado Rockies Prospects