It's been an unlikely journey for Fister, who did not secure a contract until the pitching-starved Angels signed him to a Minor League deal in May. The veteran right-hander made three starts for the club's Triple-A affiliate before using the opt-out clause in his contract to request his release. That led him to the Red Sox, who claimed him off waivers in June and saw him go 5-9 with a 4.88 ERA over 90 1/3 innings in 18 appearances (15 starts) this season.
Fister, who pitched for the Astros last year and went 12-13 with a 4.64 ERA in 32 starts before hitting the free-agent market last winter, beat out reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello and Eduardo Rodriguez for the chance to face his former team, which has built a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five ALDS to put the Red Sox on the brink of elimination.