Price Falters In Postseason Again As Sox Fall Down 0-2 In ALDS

With their backs pinned against the wall, in a match up of aces, the Boston Red Sox and David Price folded in a 6-0 loss to Corey Kluber and the Cleveland Indians, Friday in Game 2 of the ALDS. 

Price, who signed a colossal 7-year $217 million deal this offseason to win not only in the regular season but also in October, came in with a dismal playoff stat line. Though the Red Sox had hoped for the former Cy Young award winner to break out of his postseason funk, the bad times kept rolling for the Lefty in Game 2.

After quickly disposing of the top of the Indians lineup in the bottom of the first, Price's October shortcomings took center stage in the bottom half of the second.

An RBI single by platoon outfielder Brandon Guyer drew first blood, but didn't hurt Price too much. It was a three-run dinger by right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall later in the inning, however, that truly put the big money pitcher right back in his familiar postseason hole.

By the fourth inning, Price's disastrous first playoff start for Boston was over with his final line resembling the output of a fifth starter at best; 3.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HR.

On the flip side of Boston's troubles, Cleveland got nothing short of dominance from their ace, Corey Kluber.

Kluber, who is also a former Cy Young winner, sat and watched Thursday night as Cleveland manager Terry Francona drained every last drop out of the big dogs in his bullpen to help limit the Boston offensive attack in Game 1.

On Friday,  Kluber took it upon himself to ensure that the taxed bullpen got some much needed rest, pitching scoreless baseball into the eighth inning. The righty was brilliant from start to finish, striking out seven and allowing just three hits and three walks over seven plus innings of work.

Kluber did put the first two batters on in the eighth, before being pulled for right-hander reliever Dan Otero. While the Red Sox had something brewing with two on and none out and the top of the lineup coming up, Otero channeled Kluber's excellence and retired the side in order.

From there, Bryan Shaw came in in the ninth to shut the door and secure the 2-0 series lead for the Tribe.

With the series now transitioning to Fenway Park for Game 3, Boston will have to rely on the services of Clay Buchholz, who has been shuttled back and forth between the rotation and bullpen all season, to keep their season alive.

After a horrendous start to the season, Buchholz put together a couple of quality months to round out the year and earn the postseason nod. He'll have to be the pitcher he was from August through September, if Boston can stay alive past Sunday afternoon.

Key Stats:

Cleveland

Kluber: (W)  7+ IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K

6-8 Hitters (Jose Ramirez/Guyer/Chisenhall): 6-12, 4 RBI, 4 R, HR

Boston

Pitching Staff: 8 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 8 K, HR

4-5 Hitters (David Ortiz/Hanley Ramirez): 0-8, 2 K

Lineup: 3-29, 3 BB, 8 K

Full Stat Sheet Here.