Red Sox will likely use Price in relief vs. Yankees
The Boston Red Sox remain confident in David Price and plan to keep him in their playoff rotation, but manager Alex Cora says they're likely to use him out of the bullpen in the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees before his next start.
"Obviously we need outs. Actually, we were just talking about him, me and (pitching coach) Dana (LeVangie), and there were a few things that we noticed, actually the last few weeks, that he's not doing the way he did in those 11 outings or whatever it was," Cora explained on Sunday, according to MLB.com's Ian Browne. "I know physically he's fine, and we know where we're going. So most likely we'll use him in some spot, yeah."
Price, who has never won a postseason start, lasted just 1 2/3 innings during Boston's Game 2 loss to the Yankees, allowing three earned runs, including two homers.
Because Price is fresh (he threw just 42 pitches on Saturday), Cora wouldn't rule out having him pitch as early as Game 3 in New York on Monday.
"We'll talk to him," Cora said. "Actually, I'll call him tonight, see how he feels. If it's (tonight), it's (tonight). If it's Game 4, it's Game 4."
The southpaw said he'd be ready to come out of the bullpen if asked to.
(Video courtesy: MLB.com)
Price has been effective out of the bullpen during the playoffs. In eight career postseason relief appearances, the 33-year-old has allowed four earned runs in 15 1/3 innings, while striking out 16.
During two relief outings against the Houston Astros in last season's ALDS, Price threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings.