ALDS Notebook: First inning a key; Sox tapping into resilliency; Pitching and lineup plans

Through two games of their ALDS matchup with the Houston Astros, the Red Sox have trailed 2-0 after the first inning in both.

Now, as they stare at elimination, they have to figure out a way for Game 3 starter Doug Fister to break his habit of allowing first-inning runs. During the season, Fister had a first-inning ERA of 9.00. In 15 starts this season, he allowed 15 runs, including at least one in seven of his last eight starts of the regular season.

“A lot of it is just getting out there and getting into a rhythm,’’ said Fister. “Unfortunately, it’s taken me a little time to get into a rhythm sometimes. The last outing (when he stranded two baserunners against the very same Astros), I’ll try to emulate that and get going from the first pitch on.’’

Said John Farrell: “It’s about setting the tone right from the start, and that falls into Doug’s hands, to put a zero up in the first inning and allow us to capture all the energy here and build some of our own energy. We know that getting on the board first is key to that.’’

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In addressing the media Saturday, Fister used terms like “play with a vengeance and some fire,’’ and having “something to prove.’’

It certainly seems as though the Red Sox are trying to take their underdog status and use it as motivation.

“I think we’ve had that type of response to a number of different situations this year,’’ said Farrell. “We’ve talked openly about the resilience. We know perfectly well where we are in this series. I think we’re all looking forward to getting on our home field here at Fenway.

“But as close as our team is, and with conversations that go on daily about the challenges we’re faced, this has been a close-knit team. I feel like that will serve us well, (because) it’s needed.’’

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Farrell anticipates taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to Sunday. In that vein, Farrell said he expected David Price to likely be available after throwing 38 pitches on Friday, and when asked if he could envision using Game 1 starter Chris Sale out of the bullpen in Game 3, Farrell answered: “It’s possible, yes.’’

Beyond that, Farrell had nothing definitive about who might start a Game 4 if it’s played.

“We’re focused on (Sunday), so anything relating to who would start Game 4 on Monday, we’ll get to that one when we get through (Sunday),’’ said Farrell.  “We have a couple of different ways to go with that in terms of a starter for Game 4.

Among those options: Rick Porcello, Eduardo Rodriguez, and though less likely at this point, Sale on short rest.

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Farrell said the lineup is likely to resemble the one he used in Game 1, with Mitch Moreland at first, Hanley Ramirez at DH and Sandy Leon catching. Leon has caught most of Fister’s starts.

“There’s a comfort level there,’’ said Farrell of Fister and Leon. “There’s a rapport.’’

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Mookie Betts got treatment for his ailing left wrist, then took a full round of batting practice without incident, and according to Farrell, is “full-go.’’

He said the same about Dustin Pedroia, who seemed to be experiencing some issues with his left knee in Game 2, losing his balance on the field at one point, then stumbling coming out of the box during a late-inning at-bat.’’

“He’s as good as he can be right now,’’ said Farrell of his second baseman.  “Leading into the game (Friday) was probably the best he’s felt in a long time.’’