In 10 post-season appearances, Josh Beckett is 6-2 with a 1.73 ERA.

He can carry a team in the playoffs, like he did for the Red Sox in 2007.

Now he is hurt. Strained oblique muscle.

Beckett, it is hoped, will be able to pitch Game 3 of the AL Divisional Series with the Angels, next Sunday.

How important is Beckett?

I came across a New York Post story from last year, after the Red Sox topped Cleveland in the ALCS.

Here's part of it:

"BOSTON - The reason the Red Sox are in the World Series and the Yankees are not is Boston has the top-of-the-rotation pitcher the Yanks don't.

Josh Beckett didn't have to pitch Game 7 for him to have proven the MVP and essential difference in the AL Championship Series. If Beckett hadn't badly outperformed C.C. Sabathia in Games 1 and 5, the series would have been over ...

"That's what aces do, give you two games in every series to at least match the other team's ace ..."

The Red Sox turn to Jon Lester Wednesday night.

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