Justin Masterson is doing his best to look the part of a grizzled vet during his first foray into the postseason.
The baby-faced 23-year-old right-hander has shown ability beyond his years while putting up a 2.70 ERA in three playoff games thus far. He's even trying his hand at a playoff goatee that isn't quite ready for prime time. "All the bullpen guys have a chin thing going on," said Masterson, a stunning contrast with Mr. Clean shaved head and a hirsute face. "My hair comes in blond, but -- hey -- I'll take it. I'm thinking about getting a little 'Just For Men' to darken it up.
Masterson's peach-fuzz blond attempt at a beard does reinforce that the rookie is merely at the beginning stages of a shimmering career, and he keeps improving with each day.
"I'm just treating (the playoffs) just like any other game," the rookie said. "Because if you sometimes make too much of it, then you're only going to hurt yourself. I'm definitely excited, but I'm also staying within myself."
The Red Sox viewed Masterson as a key part of their bullpen equation entering the series against the right-handed-heavy Angels lineup. After switch hitters Chone Figgins and Mark Teixeira and lefty swinging Garret Anderson in the hitting order's top three spots, the Angels are batting five righty batters in a row.
Masterson utilized his heavy sinker and slider combo to neutralize righty bats to the tune of a .196 batting average during the regular season, and has been effective against the Angels. Just a year removed from putting up a 4.34 ERA in Class AA, he has earned a key spot in the back end of Boston's bullpen.
"The one thing that we see is three guys that we feel very comfortable pitching the eighth in (Hideki) Okajima, Manny Delcarmen and (Justin) Masterson," pitching coach John Farrell said. "Particularly against a fastball-hitting team, the life that he creates with his sinker and slider have made him become a weapon. Not just because of the physical abilities, but also his ability to keep him emotions in check. His mound composure is outstanding."
ANGELS 5, RED SOX 4 (12 innings): The teams battled into the night locked in a 4-4 tie, but LHP Javier Lopez picked up the loss by allowing three singles in the top of the 12th inning at Fenway Park. The Angels' win in Game 3 of the AL Division Series extended the series until Monday. RHP Josh Beckett allowed four runs and a postseason career-high nine hits in five innings, and he failed to close out the opposition for the first time in his celebrated postseason career.
