Toronto Blue Jays: Breaking Down David Price’s Splits versus Royals

By Chris Okrainetz | Oct 17, 2015

Still in search of his first postseason win as a starter, here’s a look at how Toronto Blue Jays ace David Price has done against the Kansas City Royals.

Toronto Blue Jays starter David Price can silence a lot his critics on Saturday with a strong start. Although it may sound a bit crazy, the team’s ace, their big trade-deadline acquisition, their swagger on the mound, is looking for a way to shed the “struggles to perform in the playoffs” tag.

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His struggles are well documented, as he owns an 0-6 record with a 5.48 ERA as a playoff starter. I can’t say I’m a fan of the “Price sucks in the playoffs” hot take, but the numbers do present a good case.

Regardless of his past, though, Game 2 of the ALCS is exactly why the Jays brought Price to Toronto. He’s a Cy Young winner who, contrary to his playoff stats, can take over a game.

While the Royals pesky lineup is a problem for most pitchers, Price has actually fared well against them recently. Entering Game 2, here are a couple quick notes about his splits versus the Royals.

– Former Blue Jay Alex Rios seems to have Price’s number. In 30 at bats versus the lefty, Rios is 12-f0r-30, with four doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI.

– A couple other Royals who have decent splits against Price are Lorenzo Cain and Salvador Perez. Cain is 4-for-11 against Price with a solo homer, while Perez is 3-for-9 with a two-run shot to his name.

Oct 14, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher David Price (14) celebrates during the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers in game five of the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

– Aside from those three hitters, the Royals have not done well against Price. As a whole the Royals boast a .293/.314/.757 slash line against Price, but much of that derives from Rios’ great numbers against Price.

– In 133 at bats against Price, the Royals have 11 extra base hits, including four home runs.

– The interesting part about Price versus the Royals is the strikeout rate. With only 15 Ks in 133 at bats, the Royals own an 11.2 percent strikeout rate versus Price, which is a far cry from his 25.3 percent strikeout rate on the season.

– Let’s get away from BVP match ups for a minute, though, and look at Price’s road numbers this season. In 16 road starts this year, Price has an 11-2 record to go along with 110 strikeouts in 110 innings pitched.

– During day games this year, Price was sensational. In 12 day starts this year, Price has a 6-0 record with 92 strikeouts in 83.2 innings pitched.

– In his lone start at Kauffman Stadium, Price threw a complete game, allowing five hits and one run, which came from a Lorenzo Cain homer. This start came all the way back in May on a balmy 74 degree day, so take that for what it’s worth. Today’s forecast is expected to be between 55-to-59 degrees.

– Expect the Royals to swing at a couple of pitches outside the zone today. On the season, the Royals swung at 33.3 percent of pitches outside the strike zone, which bodes well for Price, as hitters swung at 34.4 percent of his pitches outside the strike zone this season.

Overall, I’d expect a strong start from Price on Saturday. Numbers aside, this is the kind of game every free agent-to-be pitcher wants. Your team down one, on the road, hostile environment, a pesky lineup, national television, what more could he really ask for?

I fully expect Price to deliver today for both himself, and the Toronto Blue Jays.

How do you think Price will fare today against the Royals? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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