David Price Makes His Toronto Blue Jays Debut This Afternoon (Updated)
The Toronto Blue Jays and their fans have a lot riding on David Price
[Update: as expected, Price was simply spectacular in his debut for the Jays. He went eight solid innings, striking out eleven batters and limiting the opposition to one run off a second-inning home run to Torii Hunter. Price did get himself into trouble in the fourth inning, loading the bases with zero outs, but he reached back for a little extra something and pulled through the jam unscathed. His record on the season is now 10-4 and he remains unbeaten at the Rogers Centre. With the win against the Twins, the Jays also moved into a tie for the final Wild Card spot in the American League.]
Fans of the Toronto Blue Jays have waited six long years for a new “Ace” to take the mound at Rogers Centre – a wait that finally ends today when all-star David Price makes his debut for the team.
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Price was acquired by Toronto in a blockbuster trade with the Detroit Tigers last week. The cost was high – prospects Daniel Norris, Jairo Labourt and Matt Boyd went the other way – but the timing is right: the Jays are currently one game back of a playoff spot and are well positioned to end a 23-year absence from the post-season.
In Price, the Jays have their first legitimate top-of-the-rotation pitcher since Roy Halladay left town to join the Philadelphia Phillies on December 16, 2009. That was a long time ago so you can understand the excitement behind Price’s start today.
Over his eight-year career, Price has amassed a record of 95-55 in 202 starts and holds some great peripheral stats as well: 3.13 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. He’s also pitched beyond 185 innings in each of his has last five seasons.
Jul 23, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher David Price (14) pitches in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
His numbers look even better this season and the Jays hope to capitalize on them. Price holds a year-to-date record of 9-4 across 21 starts with a 2.53 ERA and a 1.11 ERA; he’s pitched in 146 innings.
It’s not just his top-line numbers that demand attention, however. His split stats are impressive as well. Price has never lost at the Rogers Centre, boasting a career record of 7-0 in nine starts. He also owns a career record of 44-21 (90) against the American League East and has a losing record against only the Tampa Bay Rays (0-2, two starts) as a member of the Tigers.
One other important stat to mention before we officially welcome Price to Toronto: he has a career record of 8-3 (13 starts) against the Minnesota Twins – today’s opponent and the team that the Jays are currently chasing for the final Wild Card spot.
The career numbers, the split stats, the matchup: it all points to a terrific debut for Price in a Jays uniform and a very important one, too.
I can’t wait to see him take the mound today. Can you?
What are your thoughts? Are you excited for his debut? Let us know in the comments section below.
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