Get Ready for the Rematch...Guthrie v. Beckett

The O's had a rare day off, and that's probably for the best, as the first place Red Sox are in town. Jeremy Guthrie is slated to start against Josh Beckett tomorrow evening.

The last time these two went head-to-head, Guthrie was a rookie, starting his third game in place of Jaret Wright, who was on the DL. Boston's Josh Beckett was invincible, holding a perfect 7-0 record.

I predicted the O's would hand Beckett his first loss of the season. My prediction almost came true...

For anyone who doesn't remember, the O's were beating the Sox 5-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth at Fenway. Beckett was pulled after four innings due to a "skin irratation." Beckett had struck out seven batters, and was charged with two runs. Meanwhile, Guthrie was pitching the game of his life, allowing just three hits and no runs, while striking out two and walking two. After recording the first out in the ninth, an error by Ramon Hernandez allowed a runner to reach first, and Guthrie was pulled after just 91 pitches.

The fans at Fenway gave Guthrie a standing ovation. I'm not sure whether it was because he pitched such a great game or because they were just happy to see him go. I'm almost positive that they had no realistic ideas that the Red Sox, down to their final two outs and losing 5-0, could ever win the game.

Apparently, the players had different ideas. "Me and Tim Wakefield looked at each other on the bench in the ninth inning when they took Guthrie out," Beckett said. "We said, 'We're going to win this game.' We both believed it." (courtesy of MLB.com)

The O's bullpen imploded, and the Red Sox won the game 6-5. The city of Baltimore was speechless. I couldn't talk for hours, and it still doesn't make sense to me. Many fans, myself included, point to this one single game as the starting point of the collapse of the rest of the season. The team lost any and all confidence after this loss, and the bullpen went on to blow practically every game they pitched in. Both pitchers that came on to relieve Guthrie (Baez and Ray) ended-up having season-ending surgeries, and the O's were pretty much done in 2007.

But the O's are a different team this year. The starting pitching has improved, the bullpen is one of the best in the league, and the offense...well, it's still cold outside...the bats will heat up. I'll be in the stands cheering on Guthrie and the Birds, and hopefully this time, the ending will be sweet.

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)