Game 160: Royals v. Diamondbacks

With the last weekend of the 2017 season feeling distinctively nostalgic, it only makes sense that we would bring back someone who helped make that nostalgia necessary.

On December 20, 2010 the Royals traded disgruntled former Cy Young award winner Zack Greinke for Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, Jake Odorizzi and Jeremy Jeffress.

We all know, of course, of the contributions made by Escobar and Cain in route to a World Series championship in 2015, but it is also worth remembering that Odorizzi helped the Royals net James Shields and Wade Davis when he was packaged with Wil Myers in another blockbuster trade back in 2012.

Side note, I found this article that was published by our friends at Bless You Boys in response to the Myers-Shields trade back in 2012. It didn't age well. But it's hard to blame them for not foreknowing the cyborg Wade Davis would turn into. Rob Neyer didn't love the the trade either.

My quick take: This is the worst trade in MLB history unless Wade Davis becomes a good starter, in which case it's only the second worst.

— robneyer (@robneyer) December 10, 2012

Go ahead and google "Royals trade Wil Myers" if you want to have some fun.

Regardless, Greinke holds a special place in the hearts of Royals fans, both for his magical 2009 campaign and for the players the Brewers gave up for him that helped lead Kansas City to the promise land.

He is back on the mound tonight at Kauffman Stadium, carrying a 17-6 record into the night to the tune of a 3.18 ERA, in what will be his final tune up before postseason play.

His adversary will be Ian Kennedy, who will look to finish a very disappointing 2017 season on a positive note. He carries a 5.50 ERA into tonight's game and hasn't pitched six or more innings in a start since August 12.

Here are your lineups for game one of this weekend's three-game season-finale.

The #Royals open up their final series of the season as they host the Diamondbacks at The K. #RaisedRoyal pic.twitter.com/EeuVl6nw6g

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) September 29, 2017

Salvador Perez is notably absent after being removed from last night's game with a groin injury. He will also sit out tomorrow night's contest, but will be back in the lineup for the season finale on Sunday.

Zack Greinke makes his final start of the regular season in tonight's series opener against the Royals. #OurSeason pic.twitter.com/GAVduOR3bZ

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 29, 2017