BOSTON — David Price’s Red Sox career is off to an inauspicious start.
Tabbed as Boston’s No. 1 starter to begin the season, the left-hander has posted a major league-worst 6.75 ERA over his first seven starts with his new team, surrendering five or more earned runs in four of them.
Those type of numbers were not what the Sox were hoping for when they signed Price to a seven-year, $217 million contract this past winter, but manager John Farrell doesn’t believe the pitcher’s early struggles have anything to do with the pressures of playing in a sports-mad city like Boston.
“He’s done fine, because I think he fully anticipated the attention after signing the deal and coming to Boston, or just being in Boston itself,” Farrell said before Tuesday’s game against the Oakland A’s at Fenway Park. “Set aside the contract, I think he’s fully anticipated the passion of our fanbase, the fine-toothed comb that things get put under at times. He’s a very strong person with utmost character and a guy that will come through these experiences.”
Price, who began tweaking his mechanics this week after a suggestion from second baseman Dustin Pedroia, also has remained upbeat and confident throughout what he believes will be a brief rough patch.
“No, it’s not going to weigh on me,” he said, via MLB.com. “I know things are going to turn around. I think we’re six games over .500 right now, top of the American League (East). That’s good. For me to come in and struggle the way that I have and still be 4-1, that’s a testament to all the offense, our bullpen, just how we’ve come together as a team.”
Thumbnail photo via Adam Hunger/USA TODAY Sports Images
