Does David Price’s return make the Red Sox a playoff lock?

Debate the answer with Chad Finn and Boston sports fans at The Sports Q.

Red Sox pitcher David Price pitches against the White Sox on May 29, 2017 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. David Banks/Getty Images

By Chad Finn

May 30, 2017

2 minutes to read

Welcome to Boston.com’s Sports Q, our daily conversation, initiated by you and moderated by Chad Finn, about a compelling topic in Boston sports. Here’s how it works: You submit questions to Chad through Twitter, Facebook, email, his

Friday chat, and any other outlet you prefer. He’ll pick one each day (except for Saturday) to answer, then we’ll take the discussion to the comments. Chad will stop by several times per day to navigate. But you drive the conversation.

David Price was a mixed bag Sunday but I think you have to feel pretty good about his performance ultimately, right? He’ll help. So does this change your perspective on the Sox? Assuming key players stay healthy, are they a lock as a playoff team now? – No More Kyle Kendrick

I do think you have to feel pretty good about Price, even though he gave up the walk-walk-bomb sequence with the Melky Cabrera three-run shot punctuating it. Seemed like he was throwing harder than he did last year, and considering everyone thought he needed at least another shake-off-the-rust start in Pawtucket, the overall performance (5 innings, 2 hits, 3 earned runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts) has to be considered encouraging.

If they stay reasonably healthy — meaning no significant injuries to core players, and that includes Dustin Pedroia, who is currently trying to dodge a bullet with this wrist injury — I do think they’re pretty close to a certainty to make the playoffs, yes.

They’re a half-game up on the Indians and Orioles for the wild-card lead right now, and three back of the Yankees in the division, and not a whole heck of a lot has gone smoothly yet.

The bats will heat up, the Sale/Porcello/Price/E-Rod/Pomeranz rotation should be stellar, Craig Kimbrel is apparently intent on never allowing another baserunner, and Dave Dombrowski will add a piece here or there (though here’s hoping Todd Frazier isn’t one of them). A roll is coming that will carry them into October.

But what do you guys think? Will the Sox make the playoffs? Are you sure? I’ll see you in the comments.