Boston Red Sox: Suddenly, David Price is team’s most valuable need

With the current state of the Boston Red Sox starting rotation, David Price is a player the team could least afford to lose going down the stretch.

Sports sure are funny aren’t they? It seemed like just weeks ago Boston Red Sox fans were ready to run David Price out of town. Fast forward and the $217 million left-handed pitcher is looking much like the ace the team brought him to Boston to be and he couldn’t have brought the heat at a better time.

With Chris Sale sidelined and Eduardo Rodriguez working himself back from an ankle injury, the Red Sox needed Price to take command of the mound and he certainly has done that.

Price entered Wednesday night’s start against the Miami Marlins with a 5-0 record and 2.05 ERA since July 1. He has not only been dominant, he has showcased the type of confidence the team once faced when he was pitching in a Tampa Bay Rays uniform. In simple terms, David Price has become a factor and a valuable one that the team cannot afford to lose.

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In a game that saw the Boston Red Sox offense explode for 11 runs in the seventh inning in route to a 14-6 victory, is a game that also brought to the surface just how valuable Price has become. In the third inning, the re-energized lefty took a 102-mph line drive off his left wrist knocking him out of the game.

It was a scary moment for obvious reasons. Mostly, it was unfortunate for Price who finally seemed to find his niche and groove in Boston. Luckily, X-rays were negative, and Price was back out in the dugout cheering on his team shortly after suffering the injury. Seems like the team dodged a bullet.

"“I think I’m going to be all right,” Price told reporters following the game. “I’ve been hit a couple of times this year. I think I’ll be OK.”"

With the team taking a 7 ½ game lead with the win, the Red Sox could afford to rest David Price a bit even with Chris Sale sidelined. Both pitchers are an important part in reaching the destination the team wants to go. Without one or both, it will be hard for the Sox to get by the Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros or New York Yankees.

In all, it is good that Price will be okay. It is great that we can talk about his value and importance to the team with the way he has pitched since the Yankees roughed him up on national television earlier this summer. Red Sox manager Alex Cora certainly appreciates what his No. 2 pitcher has given the team.

"“He’s a big part of what we’re trying to accomplish,” Cora said. “The way he’s been throwing the ball obviously it sucks to see that. We’ve been going through this the whole season. I know people don’t talk about that and we don’t care either. But we’ve been battling through it the whole season. Somebody has to step up, and they’ve done a good job.”"

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While David Price expect to make his next start, Cora and the Boston Red Sox are going to need someone else to step up. It would be great if those pitchers were named Rick Porcello, Nathan Eovaldi and Drew Pomeranz.

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