How Do The Yankees Stack Up Against David Price?

The Yankees are coming off a brutal Game One loss in Boston, but they still have Game Two to worry about with David Price on the mound. 

When the Yankees face off against the Red Sox on Saturday in Game Two of the ALDS, they will be going up against veteran left-hander David Price. Price, who was 16-7 with a 3.58 ERA this season, is a former Cy Young Award winner who has dominated hitters across baseball since 2009.

However, Price has struggled against the Yankees in his career, especially since joining the Red Sox. In four starts against the Yankees this season, Price has a shocking 10.34 ERA, which, needless to say, is not good.

Let’s take a look at how the probable Yankees lineup has done against Price in their careers:

Andrew McCutchen (LF): 1/5, 1 HR, 1 RBI (.200/.429/.800)

McCutchen has one homer, two walks, and a strikeout in five at-bats, although he hasn’t had enough plate appearances against Price to derive any real meaning.

Aaron Judge (RF): 2/11, 1 HR, 1 RBI (.182/.308/.455)

Judge doesn’t have great numbers against Price, and he typically hits righties better than lefties. Expect Price to pitch him inside for most of the night, but if Judge gets extended on anything; expect it to go far.

Aaron Hicks (CF): 7/33, 2 HR, 3 RBI (.212/.278/.455)

Hicks had a memorable night back on July 1, when he hit two home runs off Price, and eventually a third off of Sox reliever Hector Velazquez. Hicks has looked sharp from both sides of the plate lately; don’t be shocked if he has a big night on Saturday.

Giancarlo Stanton (DH): 6/19, 0 HR, 3 RBI (.316/.316/.474)

Stanton has mashed lefties all year, and Price is certainly not an exception. Despite the lack of a home run, Stanton’s first 19 at bats against Price have produced a double and a triple. Given Stanton’s recent power streak, Price should probably be a little worried.

Luke Voit (1B): 3/5, 2 HR, 3 RBI (.600/.667/1.800)

Ok, I know he’s only had 5 at bats, but Voit has an unbelievable OPS of 2.467 against Price. The Red Sox outfielders should just play in the stands.

Didi Gregorius (SS): 13/35, 1 HR, 5 RBI (.371/.405/.543)

Gregorius has very good numbers against Price, and he also has proven himself capable of postseason heroics. However, Didi has struggled a bit since injuring his wrist, and we’ll have to wait and see if that continues into the ALDS.

Miguel Andujar (3B): 4/8, 1 HR, 1 RBI (.500/.500/1.000)

Andujar has continued to show he is a consistent and capable hitter who can drive the ball against the best in the game. I’m starting to think Price is going to have some trouble getting through this lineup.

Gary Sanchez (C): 6/13, 5 HR, 11 RBI (.462/.588/.1.615)

Sanchez has had some pretty bad offensive struggles this year but look at his incredible career numbers against Price. My money is on Gary launching one over the monster, maybe even twice if we’re lucky.

Gleyber Torres (2B): 1/6, 1 HR, 3 RBI (.167/.286/.667)

Torres has the worst numbers against Price of any Yankee. His only home run came on July 1, the game where Price allowed five home runs (including the two from Hicks) and eight runs in only 3.1 innings. Torres has been cold of late, and hopefully, he can pick it back up at Fenway.

Other Notable Mentions:

Brett Gardner (OF): 14/52, 0 HR, 5 RBI (.267/.350/.308)

Gardner has decent numbers against Price and has the most at bats against him, but given his recent inability to hit lefties, I wouldn’t expect him to be in the lineup on Saturday.

Austin Romine (C): 7/16, 0 HR, 5 RBI (.438/.500/.563)

The Yankees backup catcher has fine numbers against Price, but he can’t even begin to compare to what Sanchez has done. Sanchez was also fantastic behind the plate during the Wild Card Game, which means even the slightest questions about him starting should be answered. 

When David Price takes the ball on Saturday night, he will be facing a healthy and hot Yankees lineup, a lineup that has also had tremendous success against him in particular. Game Two is a must win game and a should win game, and if the Yankees want to be in a good spot this ALDS, they will have to capitalize on the pitcher they have dominated for years.