Boston Red Sox ALDS: David Price devalued once again vs Yankees
Boston Red Sox starter David Price couldn’t have gotten off to a worst start than he did in the first two innings in Game 2 of the American League Division Series.
David Price heard the boos. Oh, he heard the boos. Lasting just 1 2/3 innings, the Boston Red Sox $217 million hope once again saw his value dwindle in another postseason disaster that took home field advantage away from Fenway Park.
Down quickly 3-0 to the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the American League Division Series, any whisper of faith Red Sox fans had in their No. 2 starter blew away in the October wind as quickly as Aaron Judge’s blast in the top of the first. Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn’t have any faith either in giving him the quick hook.
In any other game, in any other situation and against any other team, perhaps Cora would’ve stuck with Price longer. The veteran pitcher should know how to work his way out of early struggles. But, against the Yankees and on the postseason stage, Price’s mental toughness is what got him yanked more than his physical ability and talent.
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It simply wasn’t the way David Price wanted to start the 2018 playoffs.
"“It’s tough,” the Red Sox starter said, via MB.com. “You know, just after we won Game 1 to go out there and have that opportunity to go up 2-0, and to throw the baseball the way that I did, it was definitely tough.”"
With the Yankees desperate for a win, Price absolutely needed to bring his best against a team that has established a habit of getting the best of him. Not only did the left-handed pitcher enter the postseason in hopes of defeating the demons of playoffs past, he had to find a way to keep those pinstripes in check.
Postseason imposter?
On Saturday night, he simply didn’t do it, which just added to his disastrous playoff numbers. After the 6-2 loss in Game 2, Price now has an 0-9 record with a 6.03 ERA in 10 career postseason starts. Ouch!
That is one of the reasons there wasn’t 100 percent confidence in a 108-win team heading into the 2018 MLB playoffs. David Price was the wild card. David Price still is the wild card for the Boston Red Sox World Series hopes.
He will have another chance to defeat those demons. He has one more chance to get his act together against a team that is obviously in his head.
Related Story. It’s beyond time David Price called Yankees his daddy. light
Can he get it done? He wants to win and he knows he is certainly capable of getting it done.
"“I just want to win. That’s it. My main goal is to win in the playoffs, to win a World Series,” Price said. “Whatever I have to do to help us do that, I’m fine with.”"
That may involve working out of the bullpen. Although Cora has stated Price will remain a starter, he could be called upon in Game 3 or 4 out of the bullpen if the team needs him. He did well in that spot in last year’s playoffs and it could be what he needs to get his postseason confidence flowing.
If the Boston Red Sox are going to get one back in New York and eventually win this series, Price will need to get his redemption. The perfect way to do that is help this team stay in the series and eventually pitch the game of his life in a Game 5 scenario in front of that same crowd that booed him into the October night.
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With the way things have gone with David Price this season, that is exactly how this may all play out.
And then, perhaps he’ll re-gain value throughout Red Sox Nation.