Pitching may be the key to the Red Sox’s season this year. A number of pitchers are returning after injuries or poor seasons, and there are many questions to be answered, none bigger than the health of David Price.

On Monday, March 5th, David Price pitched for the first time in spring training. Although it was an off-day for the Red Sox, Price pitched in a controlled game, meaning that there was a limit of pitches thrown in each inning and the innings were cut off once the pitch count limit was reached. During the three innings he pitched, he threw 39 pitches, with 31 strikes. He threw all fastballs and cutters. He didn’t walk a single batter.

Price’s 2017 season was shortened due to a left elbow injury that limited him to only 11 starts. The Red Sox new manager Alex Cora and pitching coach Dana LeVangie have a plan that moves their pitchers at a slow pace during spring training to avoid any injuries. Cora told pitchers he did not want anyone working up a sweat in fielding practice or playing catch when it was their day to throw their bullpen. Hopefully, this new plan will keep Price in the rotation this season! Because of this new plan, Price’s start came just a day after star Chris Sale’s debut in spring training. Price expects his own debut during spring training in more than a controlled game, but in an official Grapefruit League game on Saturday when the Red Sox are scheduled to play the Twins.

Since starting pitchers have experienced less game action than they are used to, they have had more intensive work in their side sessions. The goal of these side lessons is to keep arm strength up, while reducing the number of pitches thrown during spring training to preserve their arms for the season.

The more relaxed work-outs have brought up a calmer vibe within the clubhouse, which is intended to help them in the long run. Last year, it was said that the starting pitchers entered the season with jittery anxious energy. Their high stress levels made them over-amped and too eager to do well throughout the season. The stress really got to Price and Sale. Price’s season was cut short by his elbow injury and Sale ran out of steam and fizzled out by the fall. The new plan is meant to allow Price, Sale, and the rest of the rotation to finish the season strong late in October.

Competing their way deep into October playoffs requires more than just talent in the starting rotation. That’s where Craig Kimbrel’s cannon of an arm comes into play. There’s no doubt that Kimbrel is the best closer on the Red Sox, if not in the entire league, but will pitch in front of him is not so obvious. Right now, Carson Smith is the favorite, but it’s risky to put him in front of Kimbrel because this is his first full season back from Tommy John surgery.

Pitchers are focused more on matchups that they face, instead of sticking to their rigid roles thanks to Cora’s new plan. This is another new dynamic for the pitching staff. This means that Kimbrel will be used in a less traditional role this season. Cora will perhaps have him pitch in high leverage situations as opposed to only the ninth inning.

So far, this strategy seems to be benefiting the Red Sox during spring training. Right now, they hold a win-loss record of 7-4, and they stand in fourth place in the American League behind the New York Yankees, in first with a record of 8-2, the Kansas City Royals, in second with a record of 6-2, and the Houston Astros, in third with a record of 8-3.

It’s hard to make predictions this early on in spring training, but if the Red Sox can keep their starting rotation healthy and if their relief pulls through in the bullpen, they have enough youth with a reasonable amount of experience for them to have a good chance in the playoffs this season. Last season came with its difficulties because their young players, like Andrew Benintendi, Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, and Jackie Bradley Jr., fizzled out quickly. However, now that they have more experience under their belts, they stand a better chance at being able to bring a high level of competition to the field every game, even if they end up competing late into October!