--1B Kevin Youkilis entered Friday night's game 0-for-17 against Tampa Bay RHP James Shields, but he squashed that prolonged slump with two hits in his first two at bats. The performance marked Youkilis' third straight ALCS game with three hits and also extends the first baseman's ALCS hitting streak to eight games. In eight career ALCS games, Youkilis is hitting a robust .531 (17-for-32) with two doubles, a triple, three home runs, eight RBIs and 10 runs scored.
--RHP Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect ninth inning for his sixth postseason save, and in doing so, he set the postseason record for most scoreless innings with 20 2/3 consecutive scoreless frames over 13 playoff games. Papelbon snapped the record of 20 scoreless innings held by Joe Niekro during his time pitching with the Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins. --RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka managed to wriggle out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning and continues to build on an amazing stretch that saw hitters go 0-for-14 against him with the bases loaded this season. The trend has been uncanny all season long for Matsuzaka, who has continuously flitted in and out of trouble without ever really suffering many dire consequences on the pitcher's mound. "He had a little bit of a high wire act in the first innings," said manager Terry Francona. "But then he got into a good grove and the ball had a lot of life through the strike zone."
--RHP Justin Masterson has continued to thrive under the additional responsibility given to him in the Sox bullpen by manager Terry Francona. The 23-year-old sinkerballer is sporting a 1.93 ERA and has pitched in all five postseason games for the Sox thus far this season. One attribute that has made the lanky right-hander tremendously valuable in the postseason: the double-play ball. Masterson induced 11 double-play grounders in only 34 1/3 innings as a reliever this season and is being counted on getting two outs is key. "He's earned the right for us to have trust in him," said Francona.
--RHP Josh Beckett enters Saturday's Game 2 start having won his last five postseason decisions. The 28-year-old received a no-decision in the Game 3 loss at Fenway Park during the ALDS, but his last playoff loss came while pitching for the Marlins during Game 3 of the 2003 World Series. Beckett met with the media prior to Friday night's game and expressed optimism that his health woes are behind him this postseason. "I definitely think the last five days have kind of gotten a little more normal as far as being able to do everything that I generally do," said Beckett.
BY THE NUMBERS: 20 2/3 -- The Major League record number of consecutive scoreless postseason innings that RHP Jonathan Papelbon has accrued since joining the Red Sox.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Oh, it matters a lot. In this series, though, the fourth win would be more important." -- Manager Terry Francona, when asked about the importance of winning Game 1.
