The Boston Red Sox did something on Sunday that no other team has been able to accomplish in the MLB playoffs. They won a game started by David Price.
According to MLB Stat of the Day on Twitter, the Boston Red Sox became the first team to win a game in the MLB playoffs when David Price was the starting pitcher. Prior to their team victory in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series, teams that have used Price as the starting pitcher in the MLB playoffs were 0-10.
Although the Red Sox were able to pick up a victory over the Houston Astros to even the ALCS, Price still owns an 0-9 win-loss record as a starting pitcher in the MLB playoffs. In Game 2 of the ALCS, Price allowed 4 earned runs in 4.2 innings pitched. He left the game with the Red Sox up 5-4, but he was ineligible for the win as he did not complete a full 5.0 innings pitched.
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During the 2018 MLB playoffs, Price is 0-1 in 2 starts with a 9.95 ERA and a 2.21 WHIP. In these 2 starts, Price has only compiled 6.1 innings pitched while allowing 8 hits, 6 walks, and 7 earned runs.
Including last night, Price has appeared in 19 MLB playoff games throughout his career to this point. 8 of these games have been in relief where he holds a 2-0 win-loss record. In these 8 relief appearances, he has compiled 15.1 innings pitched while only allowing 4 earned runs. However, in his appearances as a starter, he has compiled 64.1 innings pitched while allowing an eye-opening 44 earned runs.
As Price is far from a reliable starting pitcher in the MLB playoffs, it will be interesting to see if Red Sox manager Alex Cora gives him another chance at starting in the ALCS if it reaches a Game 6 or a Game 7. If Price does get another start, he will likely be on a very short leash, just as he was during Game 2 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees. In this game, he was pulled after just 1.2 innings pitched after he had already allowed 3 earned runs to score.
Following the conclusion of the MLB playoffs, Price interestingly enough has the option to opt-out of his current contract. Even though he went 16-7 with a 3.58 ERA, a 4.02 FIP, and a 1.142 WHIP during his age-32 regular season, it is very unlikely that he will opt-out of his contract. Despite the fact that he would be leaving $127 million spread out over 4 years on the table if he chose to opt-out, his unreliable reputation in the MLB playoffs may prevent him from receiving anywhere near that amount on the open market.