Boston Red Sox legend Pedro Martinez doesn't want to see David Price struggle in the postseason anymore, and he offered the pitcher advice through Twitter.
Following Price's outing on Saturday against the New York Yankees when he exited after just 1 2/3 innings, Martinez gave the southpaw some of his wisdom.
When you face teams like the Yanks you have to try something different and reinvent yourself as a pitcher. David Price has to leave the comfort zone and use a different pitching pattern
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) October 7, 2018
I remembered when I had to face an Astros team back in the day. I wanted to try to get them out with my 97-98 fastball but they were fastball hitters. I changed the pattern, did something different, let go of my fastball ego and it worked. Trying something different it’s good
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) October 7, 2018
Price is going to need to have a moment to his own and seize himself from the top of the mound and say to each hitter he’ll face: are you better than I am? And prove that they aren’t. He has good enough stuff to beat any major league hitter
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) October 7, 2018
Despite incredible regular-season numbers during his career (3.25 ERA over 289 starts), Price remains winless in the postseason as a starter. Boston plans to keep him in its playoff rotation, according to manager Alex Cora, but questions are bubbling about a potential move to the bullpen.
Martinez, on the other hand, was 6-4 with a 3.46 ERA in 16 postseason appearances (14 starts) during his career.
Among his most famous playoff showings was a dominant six-inning relief outing in Game 5 of the 1999 ALDS. Martinez pitched through a career-threatening back injury and didn't allow a hit while helping the Red Sox come from two games down to beat the Cleveland Indians and win the series.
