With first place of the AL East on the line, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price can seize the opportunity with a road win against the Boston Red Sox Monday night at 6:10 p.m. ET.
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Via ESPN:
Price can become the first starting pitcher in more than 82 years to beat the Red Sox twice in Fenway Park within a five-day span in this makeup game.
Last Thursday's finale of a four-game set between these clubs was postponed due to rain, giving Price (5-5, 3.75 ERA) this unusual opportunity. He pitched a five-hitter in last Wednesday's 5-1 victory over the Red Sox.
The last starter to win twice at Fenway in a five-day span was Rip Collins of the St. Louis Browns, who accomplished the feat on May 14 and 17, 1931.
The left-hander overpowered Boston's hitters last week, relying on a hard mid-90s fastball and sharp slider to lower his career ERA to 1.96 in Fenway Park with a 5-1 mark in nine starts. The ERA is the lowest mark among active pitchers with at least 20 innings at Fenway.
Price is 4-1 with a 1.76 ERA in five starts since being activated off the disabled list July 2 after missing more than six weeks with a left triceps strain.
"I didn't know what to expect when he came back," manager Joe Maddon said. "It's just hard to imagine a guy pitching better than he is now. I don't think I've seen it in regards to quality of pitches and stuff, location against a good hitting ballclub."
Price's victory last week pulled Tampa Bay (62-43) within one-half game of Boston (63-43) for the AL East lead. That's the same gap between them now as both clubs took two of three on the road this weekend.
The Rays intend to leave town in first this time.
"Deja vu all over again," Maddon told the Rays' official website. "I was hoping to get up there and see us on top of that (standings) board. We're not, just keep plugging away."
