David Price: Two “Easy” Wins Just What the Doctor Ordered?

David Price: If there was anyone in more need of a confidence boost on the Boston Red Sox than David Price (aside from the much maligned and oft-crushed Tazawa), then someone please point out this person.  Making $31 Million/year comes with huge expectations and Price’s inning eating, but mediocre season thus far just wasn’t cuttin’ the mustahd!

So, last week Price beat the Orioles in a game shortened by rain and then on Monday 8/22 he dominated a very modest Tampa Bay Rays lineup. Were these two relatively easy wins “lucky” wins given the friendly gesture by the rain shortening the O’s game to six innings and the gift-wrapped soft Rays lineup on August 23^rd?  This writer contests that ANY win against a major league ball club is a great accomplishment but Price is and should be held to a higher standard.  These two wins very likely ARE indeed just what the doctor ordered because all professional athletes rely on, and desperately need and feed off of, confidence.

TICKETS: http://www.seatsforeveryone.com/Boston-Red-Sox 

However, the home stretch still sits ahead of David Price and his hefty contract and expectations. Two things appear to be quite certain though and they are 1) health, and 2) Price’s consistency in terms of effort demonstrated by leading MLB starters in innings pitched.  We will see how he fares against tougher competition and with tougher circumstances down the stretch.

Speaking of the pennant race and the final portion of the season, we offered earlier an analysis of the final 16 home games for the Boston Red Sox. Here is that analysis again with dates and access to great tickets:

Red Sox Home Games: Of the 42 remaining games on the schedule in 2016, only 16 will take place at Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox.  The Red Sox currently lead MLB in batting average, slugging percentage, on base percentage, and doubles and clearly enjoy the home cooking they receive at Fenway Park. Can this team grind out a playoff spot with well below half of the games on the schedule at friendly Fenway?

Time will tell, but here’s a look at the games at Fenway Park that remain. There are indeed great tickets available for all of these games currently.

TICKETS: http://www.seatsforeveryone.com/Boston-Red-Sox   

August 26 – Kansas City Royals

August 27 – Kansas City Royals

August 28 – Kansas City Royals

August 29 – Tampa Bay Rays

August 30 – Tampa Bay Rays

August 31 – Tampa Bay Rays

September 12 – Baltimore Orioles

September 13 – Baltimore Orioles

September 14 – Baltimore Orioles

September 15 – New York Yankees

September 16 – New York Yankees

September 17 – New York Yankees

September 18 – New York Yankees

September 30 – Toronto Blue Jays

October 1 – Toronto Blue Jays

October 2 – Toronto Blue Jays

Looking at this schedule the good news for Red Sox fans is that these limited home games provide absolutely no excuse for the Red Sox.  These games are filled with opportunity.  Six of sixteen games are against the Orioles and Blue Jays so it is an opportunity to knock out the exact teams in direct contention in the AL East. The other ten games are against teams that have struggled this season in the Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, and New York Yankees. 

TICKETS: http://www.seatsforeveryone.com/Boston-Red-Sox  

The Boston Red Sox have no excuses at this point. Although only 16/42 games down the stretch are at home, the home games that are on the schedule provide nothing but great opportunities.