MLB playoffs 2018: Will Yankees see Red Sox's David Price in ALDS Game 4? Why that could be a bad omen

by Felix Pantaleón

The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox meet on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 (10/9/18) at Yankee Stadium for Game 4 of the American League Division Series. The Red Sox lead the series, 2-1. CC Sabathia will be on the mound for the Yankees. The Red Sox will counter with Rick Porcello in the battle of former Cy Young Award winners. The winner of the ALDS will face the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series.

If Yankees fans were willing to give Red Sox left-hander David Price a standing ovation during pregame introductions, just imagine the reception they would have if Price was coming out of the bullpen in Game 4 of the ALDS on Tuesday.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said it’s possible Price, who was lit up in Game 2 of the ALDS at Fenway Park on Saturday, could find himself on the mound at Yankee Stadium as a reliever.

Per the Boston Globe:

Cora has not ruled out the idea of using Price in relief at some point in the series, despite his woes against the Yankees this season.

“He told me that he’s all in. We’ll see how it goes,” Cora said.

Cora burst out laughing when asked why fans should believe Price can “mentally handle'” the postseason.

…

Price is 0-9 with a 6.03 ERA in 10 playoff starts. But he has a 2.35 ERA in eight relief appearances.

That’s right. Price, who’s been horrible as a starter in the playoffs, actually has a decent track record as a postseason reliever, per NBC Sports Boston:

Price appeared in two games as a reliever last postseason against the Houston Astros. He threw 6.2 scoreless innings against the eventual World Series champs, so maybe the bullpen is where Price needs to be in October.

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Price made his playoff debut back in 2008 for the Tampa Bay Rays, making three relief appearances in the American League Championship Series against, who else, the Red Sox.

A 22-year-old Price picked up the save in Game 7 of the 2008 ALCS, sending the Rays to their first World Series.

If Price is to make it back to the Fall Classic, he will need a better effort than what he gave in Game 2 of the ALDS, lasting just 1.2 innings and giving up three runs in a 6-2 loss to the Yankees.

Cora tried to offer an explanation for Price’s struggles, per the Boston Herald:

From my experience, and this is my only experience with him, everything was blended together as far as velocity,” he said of Price’s Game 2 performance, when he allowed three runs in less than two innings. “And we saw what happens early in the season when everything is together. There was some velocity. When the fastball was 93 mph and the changeup was 86 mph, he dominated. When he used his fastball in different spots he was really, really good.”

Should the bullpen gate swing open Tuesday with Price making his way to the mound, he will no doubt receive a warm welcome from the Yankees faithful, based on the introduction he received Monday, per the Boston Globe:

With the series having shifted back to New York, both teams were introduced prior to the contest. Every member of the Red Sox organization who was introduced — players, coaches, trainers — received the anticipated round of boos at Yankee Stadium . . . save for one.

Price received a raucous ovation when introduced, in a nod to his poor start in Game 2 and his rough history as a member of the Red Sox in Yankee Stadium (0-6 with a 9.79 ERA).