Rookie Is Definitely in the Big Time Now

Dallas McPherson began the season at double-A Arkansas, playing in towns such as El Paso, Midland and Wichita, and spent the second half at triple-A Salt Lake, playing in cities such as Portland, Ore., Tacoma, Wash., and Fresno.

This afternoon, the highly touted prospect will be starting at third base for the Angels in Game 3 of the American League division series against the Red Sox in Fenway Park, one of baseball’s most hostile environments for opposing players.

“Nothing can really prepare you for this,” said McPherson, who set foot in Fenway for the first time Thursday night, when several Angel players met the media during the off day. “When I first get on the field, I’ll probably do what I’ve done in every stadium since I’ve been here. I’ll look up and say, ‘This is nice.’ And play ball.”

If the 24-year-old McPherson seems unfazed by it all, it’s because he is. After batting .317 with 40 homers and 126 runs batted in at Arkansas and Salt Lake, McPherson was called up to the Angels when rosters expanded in early September and took over as the starting third baseman when second baseman Adam Kennedy suffered a season-ending knee injury Sept. 20.

He hit .225 with three homers and six RBIs in 16 games, and for a guy who made 29 errors in the minor leagues, he has looked decent at third, making no errors.

Just as important, McPherson started six games during the stretch in which the Angels won seven of eight pressure-packed games to win the American League West and looked as if he belonged. He played the final five innings of Game 1 against Boston and started Wednesday night, hitting a run-scoring single off Pedro Martinez in the second inning.

“As hyped as he is, with all the pressure on him, he’s handled it like a professional,” shortstop David Eckstein said. “He has a lot of composure. ... He’s aggressive, and that’s the key.”

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There was much talk heading into the playoffs about how effective the Angel bullpen has been this season. The Red Sox, while stopping short of saying they were overlooked, talked up their relief pitching corps Thursday.

Through the first two games of the series, Red Sox relievers have thrown 4 1/3 scoreless innings, stranding two runners and retiring 13 of 14 batters. Mike Timlin has struck out four of the seven batters he has faced. “We have great guys filling the roles to get us to [closer] Keith Foulke,” catcher Jason Varitek said. “Mike Timlin, Mike Myers and Alan Embree allow us to make moves for different situations.”

Red Sox relievers had a 3.87 earned-run average during the regular season, fourth-best in the league. Angel relievers were second, behind Texas, with a 3.47 ERA.

“As far as credit, I really haven’t paid attention,” Red Sox Manager Terry Francona said. “I’m not really sure about saying, ‘You know, we are going to go out and show these people,’ and they give us extra credit.”

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Angel right-hander John Lackey is still “penciled in” to start Game 4 for the Angels if they win today, but Manager Mike Scioscia remained open to bringing back Game 1 starter Jarrod Washburn on three days’ rest Saturday.

“I could tell you we’re going with Lackey, but [he] might have to help us win [today’s] game,” Scioscia said. “The way we’re looking at it, let’s get through [today] and move on from there. Obviously, there is no need to save anybody.”