Red Sox hope Pomeranz can continue mastery of Astros in Game 2

HOUSTON – With Chris Sale having failed them in Game 1, the Red Sox turn their lonely eyes to Drew Pomeranz in Game 2 of their ALDS with the Houston Astros.

If recent experience is any measure, the lefty may not be a bad person in whom to place their faith. The Red Sox have won three games against the Astros in 2017 and Pomeranz started two of those.

Only last Saturday, with the Sox reeling following four losses in the previous five games and desperate for one more victory to wrap up the division title, Pomeranz gave the Sox six strong innings in the clinching win.

Now, with even more on the line, Pomeranz is all that’s standing between the Sox going down 0-2 in this best of five series.

John Farrell took a while before announcing that Pomeranz would get the Game 2 start, which seemed off since Pomeranz tied Sale for most wins on the team and was clearly the second-most dependable starter all season. But that was only to ensure that the lefty, who set a career high in innings pitched, was rested enough to make the start.

“He came up and asked what day I wanted to pitch,’’ said Pomeranz, “and I told him I was ready whenever. Whatever day he sees me in there, I’m ready for it.’’

The Sox had some concern over a drop in Pomeranz’s fastball velocity – normally 93-94 mph, but down closer to 90 mph at times  -- in the last three outings, but the pitcher himself isn’t worried.

“I guess velocity has been down a little bit,’’ he conceded, “but it’s more, I think, pitching usage. I’ve been using more (two-seam fastballs) which is a pitch I don’t throw as hard. So I’m not worried about that. I think it’s more of just, I kind of go out there and see what I have that day and see what I need to have to beat certain teams and that’s what was working (recently), so I just kind of rolled with it.’’

Friday’s Game 2 start will mark the second time Pomeranz has faced Houston in the last seven days, and it remains to be seen who benefits from that familiarity. It’s a game of cat-and-mouse.

“You kind of have an idea for what the guys do,’’ he said. “It’s one thing to look at them on paper, look at the scouting reports and all this or watch video. But to know, to kind of feel out how they’re approaching the box against me last time (is something else).  It kind of goes both ways:  they got to see me, and I got to see them.

“So we’ll make a game plan based off how the last start went and kind of adjust going into it. I don’t know what we’re going to do, but say we go out there and I try to attack in the same way I did last time – if they’re adjusting to it and that’s what they’re looking for, then we make an adjustment and switch it up.’’