Could David Price be preparing to throw his last game as a Ray?

With the Tampa Bay Rays currently trailing the Boston Red Sox one game to none in the ALDS, they are desperately hoping that David Price will be able to throw a gem on Saturday and even the series for the trip back to Tampa. If they are not fortunate enough to win that game then they will be only one more loss away from an offseason of uncertainty.

David Price will be a free agent this year and there is sufficient doubt whether or not the Rays will pay the high price that David will command on the free agent market. It would be easy to understand if Price was distracted by this development, but if he is, he isn’t showing it. Adam Berry from MLB.com had the story.

"Honestly, this is a time right now for pure excitement, pure joy for our team,” Price said. “Those thoughts have crossed my mind, but they haven’t in a couple of weeks. And that’s good. I want those thoughts to stay away. I want to enjoy my time here. Whatever happens, I want to completely absorb myself and my team and my teammates like we have all year. And that’s a big part of why we’re here right now.”"

Even with the disastrous start to the ALDS, the Rays are not in horrible shape. Price will take the hill in game 2 and he has been pitching as well as anyone in the A.L. over the second half of the season. if they can steal the game then they will take home field advantage. Their real goal needs to be getting to a game 5. If they do, they should have Price available for at least a few innings and that could be the difference between advancing to the ALCS or going home.