Terry Francona announced the Red Sox ALCS at a press conference:
Game 1: Daisuke Matsuzaka
Game 2: Josh Beckett
Game 3: Jon Lester
Game 4: Tim Wakefield
Game 5*: Daisuke Matsuzaka
Game 6*: Josh Beckett
Game 7*: Jon Lester
(*if necessary)
Francona set the rotation trying not to be too complicated -- everyone gets enough rest, no one gets too much. His primary rationale was, the top three pitchers will each throw two games, anyway, so the order is not of primary importance.
"That's the way we're set up to go," Francona said. "The reasoning is actually pretty simple. I thought this was how it would shake out, even before we did the media after we beat [the Angles]. We just needed to take the proper time and take it through.
"You could get into a lot of details, but there really didn't need to be. The way it lined up was appropriate. Again, for us, those three will pitch twice if it goes to seven. In the end, as long as they're pitching, the order isn't as important. So then you go, 'OK. What's best for them?'
"It gives people rest – not too much rest, not too little. This is probably the best way. We didn't want one going on eight [days rest], one guy going on regular. Keep everybody somewhat in line. Rest at this time of year is huge. We'll take advantage of it while trying not to give too much.
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