Yankees remain the puzzle Price has yet to solve
David Price will take the mound in The Bronx on Sunday night, taking a break from the video game “Fortnite” and his awkward interactions with the media about “Fortnite,” to try to change the narrative about him facing batters in pinstripes.
The Yankees have been Price’s bugaboo, especially since he signed with the Red Sox before the 2016 campaign. In eight starts against the Bombers as a Red Sox, Price owns a 7.42 ERA and a 1.76 WHIP. Against all other teams as a Red Sox (totaling 54 starts), those numbers shrink to a 3.35 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP.
And while the Red Sox lefty has actually been strong of late with improved health, posting a 2.72 ERA over his past nine starts, he has made just as many headlines for his postgame interviews.
When it was suggested to him earlier this month that he could make his sixth career All-Star Game, Price joked that he would play more “Fortnite” the night before to ensure he couldn’t pitch. And after his most recent start, a win over the Angels, he was asked if he was looking forward to squaring off against the Yankees on Sunday night. Again, Price said he wasn’t sure he’d be able to go, and when a reporter suggested it was because of the video game, Price responded, “Yeah, Fortnite.”
“I’m OK with it. I actually laugh when I read it,” manager Alex Cora said Saturday. “First of all, it’s not a distraction for any of the guys in the clubhouse. I think a lot of people feel that way and it’s not. He speaks his mind. …. I don’t care. I’m good with it.”
Price declined comment Saturday afternoon as he completed a crossword puzzle at his locker.
In his only start against the Yankees this year, on April 11 at Fenway Park, Price lasted just one inning, giving up four runs before exiting because of a sensation in his left hand.
Price was originally scheduled to make another start against the Yankees in their last series in The Bronx, but was scratched the night before because of more numbness in his left hand. It was then that the $217 million man was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, and while he denied it had any correlation to playing “Fortnite,” said he would cut back on it to avoid further distraction.
Cora pointed to that day — when Price faced the music and talked about his injury — as an important chapter in his season.
“I feel the big moment for him this year was when he came here and he stood in front of his locker and he talked to everybody and explained everything,” Cora said.