Greetings from St. Petersburg. Word recently came of the starting rotations for both Tampa Bay and Boston in the American League Championship Series.

In a surprise move, the Red Sox will go with Daisuke Matsuzaka in Game 1. While Dice-K had 18 wins, he is still considered Boston's No. 3 pitcher.

Here are the pitching match-ups for the first four games:

GAME 1 (Friday in St. Pete): RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka vs. RHP James Shields, 8:37 p.m.

GAME 2 (Saturday, St. Pete) RHP Josh Beckett vs. LHP Scott Kazmir , 8:07 p.m.

GAME 3 (Monday, Boston) RHP Matt Garza vs. LHP Jon Lester, 4:37 p.m.

GAME 4 (Tuesday, Boston): RHP Andy Sonnanstine vs. RHP Tim Wakefield, 8:07 p.m.

In manager Terry Francona's remarks in his press conference today in Boston (the remarks were emailed out by the Red Sox staff), Francona explained the rotation:

"The reasoning is actually pretty simple. I think I thought this was how it would shakeout even before we did the media after we beat Anaheim.

"I just needed to take the proper time to talk it through. It gives people rest, not too much rest not too little. It's probably the best way where we don't have one guy going on 8, one guy going on regular. Keep everybody somewhat in line.

"Rest at this time of year is huge and we'll take advantage of it while trying not to give too much. And the guys that pitch 1, 2, and 3 are lined up for 5, 6, and 7. Nobody's going to throw 3 so having those three twice is really what's important regardless of how it's lined up."

Asked if Lester's dominant record at home factored in, Francona said, "Not really. I know what it is. You can get into a lot of details but there really didn't need to be. The way it lined up was appropriate. Those three will pitch twice if it goes to 7. In the end, as long as they're pitching the order isn't as important so then you go on what's best for them."

On Picking Tim Wakefield over Paul Byrd for Game 4, Francona said, "We considered everything but when it comes down to what serves the ballclub best, Byrd can probably be used more flexibly out of the bullpen.

"And then when you line up Wake, you put him with Cash, you see how far you can go and then you can make your determinations with how to go with the bullpen as opposed to trying to bring in Wake in the middle of the game knowing that he's possibly throwing to a catcher that you haven't had. It's an easy decision when you look at all the dynamics of it.

Neither team has released its playoff roster, yet.

E-mail this entry to a friend