A blister won’t stop David Price from throwing in tonight’s series-ending game against the Astros.
Price had a decent showing in his last start, giving up three earned runs on four hits in six innings of a 4-3 win at Fenway Park against Philadelphia on June 13. While he walked away with a no-decision, it was a nice recovery game for the left, who in a previous start, allowed six runs in five innings during a 9-1 road loss to the Yankees.
Price (1-1, 5.09 ERA) will look to build on that performance against the Phillies in Houston. Price is undefeated at Minute Maid Park, going 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA in three career starts there, though all those games were against some of the worst teams in Astros’ history.
Mookie Betts leads a Red Sox offense that ranks sixth in the majors in batting average and fourth in on-base percentage. As of this writing, Betts is 12-for-30 (.400) with three homers in his last seven games.
The Astros are eyeing to capitalize on David Price with the lefty Red Sox ace looking shaky so far this season. Houston should pose trouble for Price, as the Astros have one of the best offenses in the majors. They are fourth overall in runs and are top three in batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. In addition and perhaps more pertinent in tonight’s matchup with Price, the Astros are third in the American League in batting average opposite lefties.
Jose Altuve is 6-for-17 (.353) in his career against Price. A pair of ex-Yankees, meanwhile, also has fantastic averages versus Price. Brian McCann is 10-for-29 (.345) with three homers in the matchup, while Carlos Beltran is 9-for-30 (.300)
On the mound for the Astros is Joe Musgrove, who is 4-5 with a 4.81 ERA in 11 starts this season. He lasted just 4.2 innings in his last outing, yielding two earned runs on five hits in a 6-1 home loss to Texas on June 12.
