With the Red Sox deciding to begin the playoffs Wednesday, they will only need three starters - Josh Beckett, Curt Schilling and Daisuke Matsuzaka.

So how many pitchers will Boston put on the playoff roster? Surely, Tim Wakefield will go to the bullpen as the use-whenever-needed guy.

And with Julian Tavarez subbing for Curt Schilling today, does that give a hint about the rotation (is Schilling the No. 2 starter ... and is Tavarez not going to be needed in the playoffs?)

The Red Sox playoff roster can be figured out ... at least 24 of the 25 spots.

Starters (3): Beckett, Schilling and Matsuzaka.

Beckett is obviously the man for Wednesday. Schilling should get the nod for Friday (Game 2). He has the playoff experience. He is 2-1 vs. the Angels this year, both wins coming at home. Matsuzaka has not faced the Angels.

Bullpen (7 or 8): Wakefield, Papelbon, Okajima, Gagne, Timlin, Delcarmen, Lopez and ?

Seven relievers seems plenty for a 5-game series played over 8 days. But it is also hard to figure that Tavarez will be left off the roster (In one of my Sunday Telegram stories today, I mention him having the "Bronson Arroyo" role). Since Tavarez pitched three shutout innings on Sept. 12, he has only appeared in two games for a total of 1 1/3 innings.

Lopez gets the call over Kyle Snyder because Lopez is a lefty specialist where Snyder has been "extra reliever" all year.

Everyday starting players (9): Youkilis, Pedroia, Lugo, Lowell, Ramirez, Crisp, Drew, Varitek, Ortiz.

Bench (5 or 6): Hinske, Cora, Ellsbury, Kielty, Mirabelli and ?

Everyone has a role here, especially Ellsbury with his speed. Kielty is the right-handed batter off the bench (he is a switch-hitter but hits lefties much better). Mirabelli may not get in with Wakefield not starting.

If Boston added another player, it might be Brandon Moss, who is hitting .333 (6-for-18) since his call-up in September; or Royce Clayton, if Boston thought it needed a fourth middle infielder (which I doubt).

In minor league news: Arnie Beyeler will return as the Sea Dogs manager (see today's Sunday Telegram).

E-mail this entry to a friend