Price Check

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 22, 2008 12:00 PM EDT

A few things I'll be looking for during tonight's start.

1. Sustained velocity: I suspect that we'll see less pitches that go 96+ and far more that go 93-94. Neither of his prior two appearances came in situations where the team desperately needed him to go five innings. Now five innings is the minimum baring something tragic. I'm sure he's still going to be hyped up, but that hasn't been too much of an issue in terms of control.

2. Efficiency: right now Price is averaging roughly 4.6 pitches per plate appearance. That needs to come down and needs to come down by quite a bit. James Shields averages an entire pitch less per PA.

3. Off-speed stuff: Price needs to use his slider and change tonight. Thankfully the Orioles top hitters (Huff, Scott, and Markakis) are left-handed and Price can use his slider. His change needs to make an appearance as well, even if it's not as good as his other pitches, just to keep hitters off balance.

Otherwise I'm looking forward to see the first of many starts in Price's career, frankly I can't get enough of this image:

(Photo by SRQMan)

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Hope that Price can live up to our expectations

GO RAYS!!

by Penaholic on Sep 22, 2008 1:10 PM EDT reply actions

That would be a tall order as we have him somewhere between

Vida Blue and Jesus (not Colome). Either way I am incredibly excited and cannot wait to see how he does tonight.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 22, 2008 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

this is my favorite picture of Price

its the only baby picture of him i could find.

by daveh33 on Sep 22, 2008 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

this is quickly becoming my favorite pic on this site

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 22, 2008 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

i will look for any/every opportunity to post it

by daveh33 on Sep 22, 2008 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Please do.

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 22, 2008 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Price

I’m super excited to watch this game tonight on mlb.tv. I have high hopes for this southpaw and hope he adds to the Rays rotation, and can be a huge asset in the playoffs. I also have him in my keeper league in fantasy, and this start will weigh heavily on whether or not I deal him in the offseason!

by bleacher10 on Sep 22, 2008 7:41 PM EDT reply actions