KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The long journey that is carrying David Price to his first win as a starter in the postseason began in 2010, and the journey is not yet over. Five years ago he was pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays and lost Game 1 of the American League division series to the Texas Rangers.
It was the first of six consecutive losses in postseason starts entering Game 2 of the A.L. Championship Series against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, and Price’s E.R.A. in those games was 5.23. Price, now with the Toronto Blue Jays, is one of the best pitchers of his generation, so some have wondered if he succumbs to the pressure of the playoffs.