Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon has pegged ace left-hander David Price to start Thursday's Game 5 against the Red Sox if the club can stave off elimination Tuesday, reports Scott Lauber of WEEI.
Price struggled in his first start of the series at Fenway in Game 2, allowing seven runs on nine hits over seven innings of work. His two home runs allowed to David Ortiz on Saturday doubled his total against left-handed hitters on the year, which may go some way towards explaining Price's uncharacteristic outburst of frustration after the loss.
Price's regular-season numbers at Fenway Park -- 1.88 earned-run average in 10 starts -- are significantly better than what he showed over the weekend, so the Rays have to hope he can return to form should they make it that far.
The Red Sox currently hold a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 starts at 5:30 pm ET on Tuesday at Tropicana Field.
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