:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47506115/GettyImages-493168270.0.jpg)
David Price takes the mound tonight in Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium winless in seven career postseason starts (0-7) with a 5.24 ERA overall in the playoffs and a .257/.300/.432 line against in 56 ⅔ postseason innings pitched, trying to keep the Toronto Blue Jays alive after they avoided elimination with a win in Game 5 of their ALCS matchup with the Royals.
In Price's start against the AL Central division winners in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series, the left-hander gave up six hits and five runs in 6 ⅔ innings in a 6-3 loss. That start began with six scoreless innings, but things fell apart in the seventh.
Price talked to reporters yesterday about his postseason struggles overall in his career and what might be behind them.
"You know, trying to be too good," Price said.
"Trying to be maybe too fine or whatever it is. I know what I'm capable of doing, I think everybody in this room knows what I'm capable of doing. And I think I just kind of want to do it too bad.
"And it's been long overdue for me to get a win as a starter in the playoffs. And I'll be ready to change that story tomorrow."
On the mound for the Royals is right-hander Yordano Ventura, who is (0-1) in three postseason starts this year with a 6.57 ERA and a .308/.390/.519 line against in 12 ⅓ innings pitched.
Ventura gave up eight hits, two walks and three earned runs in 5 ⅓ innings pitched, receiving no decision in the Royals' win in Game 2.
The 24-year-old Kansas City righty said Thursday that he wasn't concerned about facing Toronto again so soon after the last outing.
"I don't think there's anything difficult to it," Ventura told reporters. "I've got to go out and execute and I feel like my stuff, if I execute would be sufficient.
"I'm going to go out and give it my best. And whatever happens, happens."
Ventura did, however, say he was excited about the possibility of starting in a game which could earn the Royals a trip to the World Series.
"Very fortunate and happy that this game has landed on my turn here in Kansas City and with the opportunity for me to take this club to the World Series, and I'll be ready for tomorrow's game," Ventura said.
Game 6 of the ALCS starts at 8:00 PM in Kauffman Stadium. Here are the lineups for the game...
Ventura vs the Blue Jays:
| Blue Jays | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP | missG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Donaldson | 10 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .222 | .300 | .556 | .856 | ||||||||
| Chris Colabello | 9 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 4 | .222 | .222 | .222 | .444 | ||||||||||
| Jose Bautista | 8 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .429 | .500 | .857 | 1.357 | ||||||||
| Edwin Encarnacion | 8 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .500 | .625 | .500 | 1.125 | |||||||||
| Justin Smoak | 8 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | .250 | .250 | .625 | .875 | 1 | ||||||||
| Ben Revere | 7 | 7 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | ||||||||||||
| Ryan Goins | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .250 | .400 | .500 | .900 | ||||||||
| Dioner Navarro | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .200 | .200 | .200 | .400 | ||||||||||
| Kevin Pillar | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .200 | .200 | .400 | .600 | ||||||||||
| Russell Martin | 3 | 2 | 1 | .000 | .333 | .000 | .333 | ||||||||||||
| Cliff Pennington | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | .333 | .333 | .333 | .667 | |||||||||||
| Troy Tulowitzki | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .667 | .667 | 1.000 | 1.667 | |||||||||
| Total | 74 | 68 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 15 | .265 | .324 | .441 | .766 | 1 |
Price vs the Royals:
| Royals | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP | missG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Rios | 35 | 32 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 6 | .375 | .429 | .750 | 1.179 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Kendrys Morales | 25 | 24 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 5 | .208 | .240 | .208 | .448 | 1 | ||||||||
| Alex Gordon | 17 | 17 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | .235 | .235 | .353 | .588 | |||||||||
| Lorenzo Cain | 14 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .357 | .357 | .571 | .929 | |||||||||
| Eric Hosmer | 14 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 4 | .214 | .214 | .214 | .429 | ||||||||||
| Salvador Perez | 12 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .250 | .250 | .500 | .750 | |||||||||
| Alcides Escobar | 10 | 10 | 3 | 1 | .300 | .300 | .300 | .600 | |||||||||||
| Mike Moustakas | 10 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 3 | .200 | .200 | .200 | .400 | 1 | |||||||||
| Ben Zobrist | 9 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | .333 | .333 | .444 | .778 | ||||||||||
| Christian Colon | 6 | 6 | 3 | 1 | .500 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 | |||||||||||
| Paulo Orlando | 6 | 6 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | |||||||||||||
| Drew Butera | 5 | 5 | 2 | .400 | .400 | .400 | .800 | ||||||||||||
| Johnny Cueto | 4 | 3 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Total | 167 | 162 | 45 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 21 | 4 | 24 | .278 | .295 | .407 | .703 | 1 | 1 | 3 |