Guthrie's unbeaten streak reaches seven starts

The Kansas City Royals are planning on waiting until after the season to open contract discussions with right-hander Jeremy Guthrie.

If Guthrie, who is eligible for free agency after the season, continues to pitch as he has the past month, the price will keep going up.

While Guthrie did not get a decision Sunday in the Royals' 2-1, 10-inning victory over the Chicago White Sox, he pitched eight scoreless innings. He limited the White Sox to six hits, five of them singles, walked none and struck out four.

In his past seven starts, Guthrie has a 1.70 ERA. He's allowed nine earned runs and 32 hits in 47 2/3 innings, having struck out 32 and walked seven. The Royals are 7-0 in those starts, and Guthrie is 4-0 in that stretch.

Guthrie struggled at the start of the season with the Rockies, which led to his July 20 trade to the Royals. After dropping his first three Kansas City starts, Guthrie has been unbeatable. He has had just one bad start in the past seven -- giving up seven runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings on Aug. 25 at Boston, a game the Royals won 10-9 in 12 innings.

With the Royals desperate for more consistency from their starting pitchers, Guthrie appears to be a keeper. He should draw plenty of attention on the free agent market.