Boston Red Sox: David Price the model of consistency in 2019
Boston Red Sox lefty David Price continues to display consistency on the mound in leading the Sox to 6-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park.
Who would’ve ever thought prior to the 2018 MLB season that David Price would turn out to be the Boston Red Sox most reliable starting pitcher in 2019?
Well, with a massive $217 million contract, he better be.
While the Ace role has been reclaimed by Chris Sale after a rocky start to the season, Price has continued to show consistency on the mound, including Tuesday night’s 6-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
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In delivering his fifth victory of the season, Price allowed just two earned runs with no walks and nine strikeouts over six innings. In surrendering eight hits, it wasn’t his most dominating performance, but he found a way to battle which has come to be his forte through last year’s playoff run and so far in the 2019 MLB season.
"“It was good and coming off of two shorter outings against Texas and Minnesota it was good to get the pitch count back up and be able to throw strikes,” Price said following the game, as transcribed by The Boston Herald. “I was in command of the strike zone for the most part and used everything.”"
The lefty did get in a couple of jams in the top of the second inning and again in the third but found ways to make the right pitches to limit any damage by the Chicago White Sox. Command, velocity, toughness, it was all standing there on the mound for the Boston Red Sox despite the weather not being ideal.
With all the ups and downs the team has experienced this season coming off a World Series championship, Red Sox manager Alex Cora certainly recognizes the value of David Price all season long.
"“He’s been great for us the whole season,” Cora said, via MLB.com. “We didn’t make a few plays behind him but he threw the ball well. Velocity was up, command was OK on the inside part of the plate against lefties and he got some swings and misses. Was able to elevate the fastball against righties.”"
Again, it wasn’t Price’s most dominating performance, but the measure of a good pitcher and a consistent pitcher is how he battles when everything is not working.
Mr. Consistency has become David Price.
Steven Wright an answer?
The Boston Red Sox have some bullpen help on the way in the name of knuckleballer Steven Wright.
According to Ian Browne of MLB.com, Wright was reinstated from the restricted list prior to the team’s 6-3 victory on Tuesday night. His return comes 80 games after he tested positive for human growth hormone.
To make room for Steven Wright, the Red Sox optioned Josh A. Smith to Triple-A Pawtucket.
The re-activation comes at an interesting time for the Red Sox bullpen. With a lack of consistency all season long, Wright could become an important part of a group of relievers who have blown seven saves already this season.
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Will the knuckleballer be the answer to the bullpen woes? The answer to that is as unpredictable as a dancing knuckleball on a humid summer night.
The Boston Red Sox have swung and missed so far this season to find answers in the bullpen. It’s about time they connected and hit one out of the park.