For the second start in a row Boston Red Sox lefty David Price was removed early from the game, but it was all part of the plan going into the start.
In his last start, David Price would only last 1.1IP before the Rangers would run him out of the game. Going into his start last night the Red Sox had a clear plan in mind to get him the reps he missed previously while also not overworking the veteran lefty. Even though he was rolling through the Twins lineup he would get pulled after only 5IP.
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It didn’t seem like anything was wrong with Price during last night’s start as he only gave up 4H/1BB/2K in that 5IP. But then the sixth inning came around and reliever Mike Shawaryn made his way from the bullpen to the mound. The Red Sox didn’t report right away why Price was pulled beyond that it wasn’t injury related.
As we know that game would go to the 17th inning and Boston would eat through nearly their entire bullpen. So as the game progressed much of Red Sox Nation was trying to figure out why Price was pulled so quickly. It would come out after the game that both Price and Alex Cora had gone into last night with the short night in the plans.
"“Kind of, yeah. We talk about it,” Cora said. “We’re going to take advantage of probably the next 10 days, 12 days with the off days and all that. With him coming off the IL and the short starts and all that stuff, we have to make sure he’s OK. And he’s OK, actually. But we felt that today was one of those that go short, all-out and move on.”"
Once the move was made clear to it made perfect sense. David had a recent stint on the IL and he is someone the Red Sox need to keep healthy if they want to make a run towards October. So with Cora explaining that they had it in mind to keep his start short as to not overexert himself, I can get behind it.
"“It was a collective decision,” Price said. “That wasn’t on Alex. That wasn’t on him.”"
We know how good David Price can be when he’s healthy and if the Red Sox want to have any shot of defending their championship, they’ll need him at 100%. If that means he has a few shorter starts then so be it. Both David and Alex know what it takes to win and how the season can break down a player’s body so a little extra rest here and there makes a great deal of sense.
"“He was short the other day (Thursday),” Cora explained. “Today was one of those that we felt like I was going to take care of him. He threw the ball well but as you guys know, he’s a guy that we really have to take care of.”"
David Price is one of the most important members of the Red Sox machine and is a necessity for the success of the team. If this is the plan going forward then I’m on board with it if it keeps him healthy. With some big-time games coming up on the calendar he will be a key piece of the puzzle when it comes to erasing the deficit in the standings.