But he hopes to pitch well enough to turn the Big Three into a Big Four, the Boston Herald reports.
Matsuzaka posted a 4-6 record with a 5.76 ERA in 12 starts with the Red Sox last year. The right-hander understands he'll have to perform well to be considered a dominant pitcher, especially on a deep Red Sox starting staff.
"It's not like I can ask to be put into that group," Matsuzaka told the paper through an interpreter. "I can't ask that group for admission, really."
Dice-K's goal is to post a similar performance to that of his 2008 season, when he went 18-3 and posted a 2.90 ERA in 29 starts for the Red Sox. He understands he'll need to be consistent to be on the same level as Lester, Beckett and Lackey.
"As the season goes along, and maybe partway through, if I can perform well enough, and if I can be seen as part of that group, then I think that's going to be great," Matsuzaka said. "That's what I'm hoping for."
Matsuzaka sees 20 wins as a realistic goal this season.
"If I somehow end up with 20 wins, of course as a ballplayer I'm going to be very happy," Matsuzaka said. "But I'm not going to go into the season overly conscious of the number 20."
Matsuzaka has his work cut out for him, but with a strong performance, the Red Sox' Big Three can become a Big Four.
