Jamie Gatlin | June 4th, 2019
When David Price signed with Boston four years ago he was expected to be the ace to deliver a championship. Price claimed that he had saved all his postseason wins for Boston but failed to meet expectations. His postseason struggles continued in 2016 and injuries limited him the following season. Last year however Price proved his critics wrong. The former number one overall pick was key to the Red Sox postseason run and dominant in the World Series. In 2019 Price has picked up where he left off and arguably been the best Red Sox pitcher.
In ten starts this season Price is 3-2 with an ERA of 2.83. It is the lowest on the Red Sox staff by far as Chris Sale is the closest with 4.35. Price has not just been good but dominates as he has not allowed more than three earned runs in a start since April sixth against Arizona. While every Red Sox starter has been inconsistent so far Price, has only improved with each start. His biggest test, however, came on Sunday in Yankee Stadium.
Going into Price’s start the Red Sox were in dire need of a win. They had dropped the first two games of the series putting them nine and a half games behind the Yankees. Being swept would have been costly considering that the Yankees are not even at full strength. For Price, it was a shot at redemption in a stadium that had been a place of horrors.
Entering Sunday Price was 0-6 at Yankee Stadium in his Red Sox career. His ERA sat at 9.79 since joining Boston when pitching in the Bronx. On national television, he was expected to fail but instead continued his stellar run. The veteran lefty went six and a third and only allowed two earned runs. It was the Red Sox first win against the Yankees this season and prevented a sweep. When the Sox needed him the most Price was the stopper and gave this team a boost.
Just like Price has done all season, he was able to limit the opponent’s offense. In May he had an ERA of 1.53 and held opponents scoreless in two starts. That was partly due to his control as Price has only walked twelve batters all season. His dominance is also reflected in opponents batting average, which is currently is .223. It is a continuation of his impressive stretch dating back to last season. Since the All-star break Price has 2.68 in his last twenty-seven appearances including the postseason.
Although the Red Sox starters have struggled so far that is unlikely to last all year. Chris Sale currently only has one win but has received little run support. Nathan Eovaldi is expected back soon and will give this rotation and tired bullpen a boost. As they return to form Boston will need Price at his best. So far he has not only met the challenge but thrived. He is again proving why he is key to this team and that he can still pitch at a high level.
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