Manager Terry Francona announced on Sunday that the Game 1 starter will take the hill on Monday in Boston if the squad makes it that far.
Lester will be pitching on three days' rest, as he went six innings in Thursday night's Game 1 loss in Anaheim. Francona isn't concerned about using his young hurler in such a short turnaround.
“That’s actually probably not in our best interests,” Francona said. “It’s been proven out there guys normally aren’t stronger early. We know that.”
Rather than use Daisuke Matsuzaka, who was available to pitch out of the bullpen on Sunday afternoon, the Red Sox are going to take their chances with Lester. Not only does pitching Lester appear to give Boston a better chance to win on Monday, it also sets up the rotation to send Josh Beckett back to the hill in a potential Game 5 thanks to the travel day.
“Maybe you’re missing the point here. It’s not just bringing Lester back on short rest,” Francona said. “It also gives us the ability of bringing Beckett back on regular rest (if there is a Game 5). So, if we’re fortunate enough to go five games, Beckett and Lester will pitch four of them. That’s the whole idea.”
The Angels will go with Joe Saunders in Game 4 if Boston pulls out the victory on Sunday.
