It’s on David Price to rescue Red Sox rotation from historically bad start

Mar 26, 2019; Mesa, AZ: Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price against the Chicago Cubs during a spring training game at Sloan Park. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Red Sox’ 1-3 start is nothing to panic about just yet. But the starting rotation has inarguably pitched as poorly as any in recent memory. Now, the onus falls on World Series hero David Price to get the staff on track.
Price makes his 2019 season debut on Monday night against the Oakland Athletics. His opponent is 28-year-old Aaron Brooks, who has all of 10 career starts with an 8.01 ERA. Brooks pitched only 2.2 innings in three appearances in 2018, his only major-league work since 2015.
Even on an off night, Price should be able to give the Red Sox a chance to win on Monday.

BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 1: David Price of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with The Commissioner’s Trophy during the first quarter of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
He can easily improve upon the starting rotation’s performance so far in 2019. They’ve combined for an incredible 22 earned runs in 15 innings – a 13.20 ERA.
Seattle was historically ugly for the starters. According to Elias (via Red Sox pitching 1st 4 games of season: 34 runs & 11 HR allowed.
That is:
-Most HR allowed
-Tied for most runs allowed (1984 Orioles)
By a defending World Series champion team in its 1st 4 games of season
(h/t @EliasSports)
Price dealt with a norovirus during spring training, which explained his relatively late start to the season. That’s presumably behind him now as he gets set to face an Oakland lineup that has a career .262 batting average with 4 homers and 12 RBIs in 107 career at-bats against him.
“I didn’t get as many reps as I got last year in spring training but physically I feel it’s one of the strongest I’ve felt heading into opening day,” Price said after his final spring training start, via the Portland Press Herald.
On the bright side, the Red Sox’ bullpen has performed reasonably well so far. They’ve posted a 2.50 ERA in 18 innings, including Matt Barnes’ first save of the season in a perfect inning on Friday night. But there’s nowhere to go but up for Price and the starters.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.