Boston Red Sox: David Price set fifth in rotation to start 2019
The Boston Red Sox have a surprising name as their fifth starter heading into 2019.
The defending champions Boston Red Sox are about to start 2019 and look to continue their brilliance from last season’s Word Series win. However, a surprising player is not playing until the fifth game. Rare postseason hero David Price is not set to start for the Sox until their series’ opener in Oakland against the Athletics next Monday.
Typically, pitchers are not signed to a franchise record, seven-year, $217 million deal to be last in a team’s rotation. Seven-time All-Star Chris Sale is starting Opening Day, followed by Nathan Eovaldi, Eduardo Rodriguez and Rick Porcello, all against the Seattle Mariners..
With no relation to his Spring performance, Price will be the fifth pitcher for Boston because of illness. Not yet ready to pitch a whole game, the southpaw is going to get some time more reps in during the Mariners series before his first start of the year. Manager Alex Cora does think he could pitch in the first or second game to wet his feet before making a start.
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Price would usually be the Sox second pitcher behind Sale. His illness is delaying his start, but this is going to be very beneficial for the Red Sox.
Having Price pitch out of relief would be a smart move by Cora because it would be one last opportunity for him to fine-tune his mechanics and pitchers before his initial start. In addition to benefitting Price, this would help Boston’s bullpen in the long run.
The Red Sox start the year playing games in 11 straight games. This will exhaust their bullpen. Having Price available to pitch in the first two games of the season will allow more rest to other pitchers in their bullpen, benefiting them down the road. This gives some extra rest to the whole bullpen.
Boston would not be able to delay Price’s start if their rotation was not as deep as it is. They are filled with strong righties and dominant lefties.
Price, 33, looks to build of the Sox World Series championship and have a strong 2019. Coming off a strong campaign in 2018, Price won 16 games, struck out 177 batters in 176 innings, and had an ERA of 3.58 In means of ERA, this was his best full season for the Red Sox.
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Heading into the fourth year of his contract, Price looks to stay productive and try to reach the 200-inning milestone for the seventh time in his career. If he pitches the way he did in the postseason, Price is going to be a real threat for the Boston Red Sox during the regular season.