When Can We Start Worrying About David Price?

After allowing six runs in back-to-back starts against the New York Yankees, many Red Sox fans are left asking the same question - when can we start worrying about David Price? 

Historically, Price has been a slow starter as evidenced by his 4.08 ERA in the months of March and April versus a 2.99 ERA for all other months combined. What has been most alarming for Sox fans, however, is an overall lack of command and velocity.

Price's fastball barely touched 93 MPH on Saturday, a big difference from the 95-96 MPH fans were expecting when the Red Sox inked the southpaw to a $217 million contract. The dip in velocity has allowed opponents to take better advantage of his mistakes leading to an increase in hard contact as well as walks. Price's 2.9 BB/9 ratio is his highest since 2010 and his 1.379 WHIP is the highest of his career.

“I feel like the more velocity that you have, the more mistakes you get away with,” Price stated after the game. “Right now, I’m not getting away with mistakes or good pitches, for that matter. That’s part of it. They hit some good pitches today.”

Although both Price and Red Sox manager John Farrell have said that physically there is nothing wrong, one can't help but wonder what is causing such a drastic change. Sure it is early in the season, but according to RedSoxStats.com his hardest thrown fastball of 93.54 MPH yesterday was the lowest in a game in his entire career. 

Pitching coach Carl Willis hinted that perhaps the velocity will return, as it is common for power pitchers to get better as the year goes on and the weather warms up. Price's average game-time temperature has been 55.14 degrees, which isn't exactly ideal but doesn't explain such a huge loss in velocity, either.

“[The difference] is something I’ve got to figure out," Price explained. "That’s something I definitely take pride in and feel like I’ve done extremely well throughout my career - being able to make adjustments on the fly, whether it’s pitch-to-pitch or game-to-game or day-to-day."

Red Sox fans can only hope Price can make those adjustments and get back to the dominance he built his reputation on. After back-to-back losses to the Yankees and some glaring red flags from a physical stand point, fans have every right to be worried.