David Price will not get a second chance to start against the New York Yankees, as the Boston Red Sox have sent the left hander to the bullpen for the rest of the ALDS.
Pumpkin spice everything. Halloween. Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price throwing up all over himself on the mound. Certain things are a given once the calendar rolls to October, no matter how much one would hope that is changes.
This is especially the case with Price. Year after year, he struggles in the postseason, failing to lead his team to victory. Every so often, he pitches well in a losing effort, leading fans to hope that he finally turned the corner. Then, he struggles once again, that brief glimpse of competence lost in a pool of vomit.
That same scenario happened on Saturday. With the Red Sox up 1-0 on the Yankees in the ALDS, they sent Price to the mound. Predictably, it ended poorly for Boston, as Price lasted for just five outs, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks. With that performance, manager Alex Cora had seen enough, and will send Price to the bullpen for the remainder of the series.
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Contrary to his performance in the rotation, Price has had success as a reliever in the playoffs. Over his ten career postseason starts, he has a 0-9 record with a 6.03 ERA and a 1.267 WHiP, striking out 54 batters in 59.2 innings. However, as a reliever, Price is 2-0 with a 2.35 ERA and a 1.239 WHiP, striking out 16 batters against six walks in his 15.1 innings.
Given his myriad of issues as a starting pitcher in the postseason, the bullpen may be the best place for Price moving forward. This could solve the Red Sox bullpen woes, particularly if he continues to pitch well in relief. He could be that multi-inning weapon they need, capable of quelling a rally or coming in for a struggling starter.
In fact, this should be Price’s role moving forward in any postseason series. He does well enough in the regular season, but cannot handle the pressure of a postsesaon start. There is enough of a track record to show that he cannot be trusted in that spot, with every start a virtually guaranteed loss.
The Boston Red Sox are putting David Price in the bullpen for the rest of the ALDS. It would make sense to keep him there throughout the postseason.