Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona announced his pitching rotation for the American League Championship Series Tuesday, and as expected, Josh Beckett will be the Game 1 starter.
In a switch from the American League Division Series, when Beckett was followed by Daisuke Matsuzaka for Game 2 against the Angels, Francona has moved Curt Schilling to Game 2 followed by Dice-K for Game 3. In the ALDS, Schilling threw Game 3.
Francona said that he pitched Schilling in Game 3 of the ALDS to give him some extra rest. Schilling will be pitching on five days’ rest, one more day than usual, in the ALCS.
“I think we tried to accomplish some things with [Schilling] by giving him rest [in the Division Series], which I think really helped,” said Francona. “That was probably the biggest thing.”
The right-hander got the win in Game 3 against the Angels, tossing seven shutout innings, as the Red Sox earned the sweep with a 9-1 win. He struck out four, walked one and allowed six hits. Before that outing, he had last pitched on September 25 – a span of 11 days’ rest.
Matsuzaka struggled in his first career postseason start in the majors. In Game 2 of the ALDS, the Japanese rookie allowed three runs on seven hits, walking three and striking out three, in 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander didn’t record a decision in Boston’s 6-3 win.
Dice-K will have nine days’ rest before going in Game 3.
“It’s almost like skipping a turn,” said Francona, who plans to give Matsuzaka work in side sessions or against hitters to stay sharp. “We think this is our best way to go forward.”
Tentatively, Francona plans to pitch Tim Wakefield in Game 4. The knuckleballer was left off the ALDS roster with an injured back. Francona hopes to have the right-hander throw a simulated game on Tuesday to see his progress.
If Wakefield is unable to go, it is likely the Red Sox could turn to Beckett to pitch Game 4 on three days’ rest, guaranteeing the ace at least three starts in the series if it goes seven games. The majors’ lone 20-game winner this season would then be on a full four-day rest for Game 7.
- Steve
