Although the Boston Red Sox have had quite the tumultuous season and are well out of the running for the American League East crown, they still have an outside shot at reaching the playoffs.
Boston entered play on Thursday just five games back of the Oakland Athletics for the second Wild Card spot, and the Cleveland Indians (who hold the top Wild Card spot) just lost Jose Ramirez for five to seven weeks, opening the door for the Red Sox to make a charge in September. Luckily for Red Sox fans, their rotation should be healthy for the final stretch.
According to Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe, David Price will be activated from the Injured List for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels.
After vanquishing his postseason demons in last year's World Series, Price got off to a fantastic start in 2019, going 7-2 with a 3.24 ERA and 10.3 K/9 in 16 starts prior to the All-Star break.
The second half did not begin nearly auspiciously, as Price had a 8.59 ERA in his first five starts after the break, giving up eight homers and boasting a woeful 2.000 WHIP. Price lasted just 2.2 innings in his last start on Aug. 4 against the Yankees, giving up nine hits and seven runs before being placed on the IL with a cyst in his left wrist.
Despite the second-half struggles, the Red Sox will welcome Price's impending return. Boston has already shut down Chris Sale for the remainder of the season, and the Andrew Cashner acquisition has not had the desired impact on the rotation.
Boston will hope Price can return to his early-season form as they look to make one final playoff push.