Boston Red Sox: For David Price, redemption is the road less traveled
If the Boston Red Sox are going to get past the Houston Astros, David Price will have to find playoff success which would be the ultimate redemption.
Like it or not, the Boston Red Sox need David Price to win a World Series championship in 2018.
As the team prepares to take on the defending world champion Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series, Red Sox manager Alex Cora has named Price the Game 2 starter despite his struggles in his start against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the ALDS.
What that means is Price will get the opportunity to prove he can get it done in the playoffs. It also means he could make a start later in the series. If not that, he would play an important role coming out of the bullpen. Either way, this man needs to get it done.
More from Chowder and Champions
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
When asked about his decision to give Price the ball in Game 2, Cora explained it was all about matchups. Unlike the Yankees, Price has pitched well against Houston.
"“The way he pitched against them this year, he matches up real well against them,” Cora said in an appearance on Ordway, Merloni & Fauria Wednesday afternoon."
He also pitched well against the Astros coming out of the bullpen in last year’s ALDS. So, it is not as dire as it may seem giving Price the ball in a game that could turn out to be extra important if Houston steals Game 1.
Cora, unlike many fans, is confident David Price can make the adjustments he needs. He certainly has the talent, but can his mental focus finally get him over the hump as a starter in the playoffs? Well, that is the $217 million question and one the left-handed pitcher can only answer with results on the mound.
To enter that road towards redemption, the David Price who masqueraded as the team’s ace towards the end of the season when Chris Sale was sidelined has to show up. He needs to take control of the mound and as Pedro Martinez said, he has to approach each batter and ask himself if that batter is better than he is.
Price is going to need to have a moment to his own and seize himself from the top of the mound and say to each hitter he’ll face: are you better than I am? And prove that they aren’t. He has good enough stuff to beat any major league hitter
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) October 7, 2018
If something does go wrong early in the game, he must keep his composure and continue to fight. The boos echoing from Fenway Park are going to come the first minute he shows signs of struggle, but he has to find a way to turn those boos into cheers.
Showing passion on the mound and simply battling the way Sale, Nathan Eovaldi and Rick Porcello did for the Boston Red Sox in defeating the Yankees in the ALDS.
Related Story. Three absolutely positive thoughts on David Price. light
Standing behind David Price
Speaking of Porcello, he had his own playoff demons that he overcame. When talking about David Price’s struggles, particularly in Game 2, Porcello said the team is standing behind Price and points at the team as a whole in helping the veteran lefty get past his struggles.
"“We all can do something better,” Porcello said, “We can score more runs. We can play better defense. We can pitch better in relief. We can do a lot of things better. It’s not just on his shoulders. We all take responsibility for wins and losses, and that’s how we move forward.”"
With team’s being 0-10 in the playoffs in games David Price starts, Rick Porcello’s compassion is much welcome. However, scoring a ton of runs in the playoffs can be tough. That’s why Price needs to perform good enough to keep his team in games if they are not scoring a ton of runs.
Boston Red Sox: 4 stars who must shine on October playoff stage. dark. Next
That is extra important against a Houston Astros team that can bury you in a hurry.
In summary, the Boston Red Sox need David Price. He knows it, his manager knows it, fans know it. He is too talented of a pitcher not to win a playoff game. At this rate, he has to be due to come through. He has had a tough time finding that road towards redemption. Maybe, just maybe the confidence the team is showing in him will lead him to that path.
It’s past time he reaches that destination.