McAdam: Why David Price was thinking about this day way back in October

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Even before the Red Sox finished off the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2018 World Series, David Price was already looking forward to this year's spring training.

When he won the pennant-clinching game in Houston, turning in six shutout innings and beating the Astros in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series and sending the Sox to the Series, Price effectively exorcized his demons.

No longer could it be said he couldn't win in October. No more could it be said the pressure got to him.

That night, as the champagne flowed in the Minute Maid Park visitor's clubhouse, the relief was evident on his face.

"I don't have to prepare myself for (the question about postseason struggles) in spring training,'' said Price after the victory.

You could almost watch as the burden was lifted for Price. The 11 previous starts on his postseason resume were washed away, all past sins forgiven.

The storyline was done.

And so, when Price made his first Grapefruit League start on Tuesday against one of his former teams, the Detroit Tigers, he could treat it for what it was: the beginning of the slow buildup to Opening Day. Nothing more, nothing less.

He didn't have to explain anything or rationalize his past. This was a plain, old exhibition game.

Seemingly as a bonus, Price pitched well -- with one exception. He left a fastball over the plate to Jordy Mercer in the third and watched the Tigers shortstop hammer it over the left field wall for a two-run homer. Otherwise, the outing was fairly unremarkable: three innings, two hits, two runs, two walks, four strikeouts.

Ho-hum. No questions about what he needs to do differently this October. No persistent storyline he wasn't earning his considerable paycheck when it counted most.

"Excellent,'' concluded his manager Alex Cora after the Red Sox' 4-3 loss to the Tigers. "Velocity, command, presence on the mound. ... It was good for the first one. I think he ran out of gas at the end, hot day, whatever. But the stuff was sharp, (worked) both sides of the plate, changeup was good. Yeah, that was a good one.''

End of discussion, no further context necessary.

Asked to describe his off-season following the Sox' World Series victory and subsequent parade, Price answered: "It was good. I didn't think of anything negative.''

That's a change for Price, who, even in celebration, couldn't help but gloat some last October. After his standout Game 5 start in Dodger Stadium, Price had redemption on the brain, taking the opportunity to remind the media that "I hold all the cards now.''

It was Price's way of saying that things had permanently turned for him.

Like the rest of the veteran starters, Price spent the first two and a half weeks of Grapefruit League play toiling (mostly) out of sight -- throwing live batting practice and side sessions on the back fields, where the adrenaline was absent and so were major league hitters.

This week has been their "coming out'' week as Cora and pitching coach Dana LeVangie loosen the reins and allows their starters to move into the big ballpark and face real lineups.

Price will pitch again Sunday, then one likely one more time in Florida before the Red Sox head west for the start of the season. Price is OK with the program, having experienced it in modified fashion a year ago.

"It’s just a matter of getting started later,'' he shrugged. "I felt strong in October last year. It was a good ending for us and myself as well and we’re just looking to build on that finish.’’

Without any excuses or explanations. Just meaningless tune-ups designed for when the games count for real later this month.

Perhaps, when the regular season gets underway, Price might still be questioned about his struggles against the Yankees. That remains a blight on his record, and something he'll have to improve upon for Red Sox fans to fully and totally embrace him.

But the bigger issue -- the specter of his October failings -- is gone.

His history is history now, and David Price likes it that way.