The Tampa Bay Rays could be starting pitcher David Price for the last time. The former Cy Young winner looks poised to be traded in the next 24 hours. However, Tampa Bay has come close to dealing him before, but backed off without finalizing a deal. Could they do the same this time? The Rays are not scratching him like the Boston Red Sox did with Jon Lester so the Milwaukee Brewers will have to face Price in their Wednesday game.
Price is looking to win his seventh start in a row as the Rays are poised to sweep the Brewers. Tampa Bay is now back in the hunt for the playoffs after enduring a 1-14 stretch back in June. That is when trade rumors began heating up, but winning 29 of 41 following that have cooled down Price's trade talk. The pitcher is 11-7 with a 3.08 ERA on the year and could be making the final appearance for the only team he has ever player for.
During his win streak, Price has put up a 1.88 ERA with 82 strikeouts and just 12 walks. In his last start he gave up just three runs while striking out 10 against the Boston Red Sox. In his only appearance against Milwaukee, Price has given up two runs and struck out 10 back in 2011.
The Brewers continue to lead the National League. However, they are on a three-game losing streak where hitter Ryan Braun has gone 0 for 11 and 2 for 19 since having a 12-game hitting streak and batting .383. Milwaukee will counter Price with Yovani Gallardo who is 5-5 with a 3.57 ERA on the year, but has a 4.14 ERA in his last six starts. He is coming off a decent start against the Mets where he gave up four hits and struck out eight in seven innings.
