McKEON

BOSTON — Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett has not been himself this season, especially in the playoffs.

The right-hander threw his normal bullpen session yesterday with pitching coach John Farrell looking on. Manager Terry Francona said everything went well.

Beckett has battled back, elbow and oblique injuries this year and has struggled in October, the time of year he usually dominates.

If anyone knows Beckett better than himself, it’s his former Florida Marlins manager, Jack McKeon.

“It looks to me like he’s having an off year, so there must be something wrong, but I don’t know,” said McKeon. “I’m just hoping he’s OK. He’s a competitor and he’s going to say he’s OK whether he is or isn’t.”

He entered this postseason with a 6-2 record and a 1.73 ERA in 10 games (nine starts) in October. In two postseason starts this postseason, Becket has not factored into a decision, but carries an 11.57 ERA. He’s allowed 12 runs on 18 hits with 5 homers, 5 walks and 11 strikeouts.

“He’s not himself,” McKeon said. “I don’t know what the problem is. I do know that he’s been out with some injuries and I’m just wondering if they’re lingering. … He’s leaving balls over the plate and his fastball doesn’t seem to be dominating anymore.”

Beckett was a major reason why the McKeon and Marlins beat in the Yankees in the 2003 World Series. He was the series MVP, and so began his postseason dominance. McKeon has been paying close attention to his former player ever since the Red Sox acquired him from Florida prior to the 2006 season.

His performances recently have been frustrating for his former skipper.

. “Knowing the kind of guy he is and the competitor he is. … He’s a big-game winner and he wants the ball,” McKeon said. “He’s a winner.”

McKeon missed the first inning of Game Two on Saturday night when Beckett made his second start of the postseason.

“I turned it on and saw it was 4-0 (in the third inning) and I thought ‘This can’t be right,’ ” he said.

Game Three wasn’t much better for the Sox’ pitching staff as ace Jon Lester was smoked by the Rays. Again, McKeon couldn’t believe it.

“The Red Sox rely on Lester like we relied on Beckett in 2003,” he said. “If they’re not pitching well, the Sox are in trouble.”

The 2008 version of the Rays is very similar to the Marlins in 2003. Tampa is young, confident and talented enough to believe they can beat the Red Sox in the ALCS.

“They are along the same lines,” McKeon said. “They’re scrapping and they have confidence.”

jmcdonal@projo.com