BOSTON — Justin Masterson’s most dangerous weapon isn’t a radar gun. And that’s OK.
Masterson relied heavily on his slider Monday as the Boston Red Sox defeated the Baltimore Orioles 7-1 in a rain-shortened game at Fenway Park. The pitch proved effective for the right-hander, who no longer generates the same velocity he once did and thus must find creative ways to retire hitters consistently.
“The one thing he’s done a better job at — really learning himself — over the last couple of years is attacking left-handed hitters,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said after Monday’s game, which was called after 6 1/2 innings because of rain. “And I think he and (catcher) Ryan Hanigan have done a great job of using both his two- and four-seam fastball, as well as his slider to mix things up.
“Even right now with Justin pitching with probably a little bit less than his normal velocity, he’s made very good adjustments. The slider has become a true weapon against both lefties and righties, and he’s been able to double and triple the use of the pitch to keep hitters from guessing.”
Masterson allowed one earned run on three hits over five innings Monday. He struck out six and walked three. It wasn’t a dominant effort, evidenced by his 93 pitches, but it was a huge step forward from his previous outing, in which he surrendered seven earned runs on eight hits and three walks over 4 2/3 erratic innings.
“Velocity was roughly the same,” said Masterson, whose fastball sat between 86 mph and 88 mph for most on Monday’s start. “We were tied up in my mechanics in my last (start), and I was never really able to be free and easy. And today, I was much more free and easy and able to get back in the zone.
“I had some walks, but some were weird, pitching around (batters) a little bit, trying to be smart with some pitches. But in the end, I was able to get some pitches when I needed to and (I was) much more under control than last outing. It was a lot more like the first outing.”
Masterson threw his slider just 18.14 percent of the time in 2014, which was a disaster, in large part because he dealt with injuries and mechanical issues. He threw the slider 26.83 percent of the time in 2013, when he was named an All-Star with the Cleveland Indians, and already is exceeding that mark in 2015.
Of Masterson’s 93 pitches Monday, 39 were sliders (41.94 percent), according to BrooksBaseball.net. Simply throwing a specific pitch obviously doesn’t guarantee success, but he struck out three batters with his slider. And the offering, at its best, has the potential to keep hitters off balance, particularly with his fastball sitting in the mid- to high 80s. (By comparison, Masterson’s four-seam fastball averaged 93.97 mph in 2013 and a career-high 94.16 mph in 2011.)
“That’s what helped me out in 2013. That’s what helped me to be a better pitcher,” Masterson said of an effective slider. “Because I’m coming in with two pitches, a fastball and a slider, I can mix in the fastball on two pitches. But for an offspeed pitch, you’ve got to keep guys back and forth.
“And that for me is a big one. The best way to be able to do that is to be able to throw it for strikes. To be able to do that in different counts is going to be very beneficial for me, just like it was before when I had success.”
The Red Sox’s starting rotation lacks flamethrowers, with the exception of Joe Kelly, who can reach back and hit the high 90s. And Masterson’s stuff isn’t as electric as it was earlier in his career. But pitch selection, pitch location and overall pitch effectiveness can help mitigate velocity concerns.
It’s all about adjusting and rolling with an arsenal that works. Masterson might be on to something.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
