FORT MYERS, Fla. — On Wednesday, Terry Francona announced that Jon Lester will be his Opening Day starter on April 1 in Texas. On Thursday, he mapped out the rest of the rotation.
John Lackey will follow Lester on April 2, followed by Clay Buchholz the next afternoon in the series finale with the Rangers. April 4, a Monday, is a day off, after which Josh Beckett gets a start in a series-opener in Cleveland. Daisuke Matsuzaka will be the fifth to go on April 6.
The configuration lines up Lackey to start the home opener against the New York Yankees on April 8, followed by Buchholz and Beckett.
Francona said he likes the idea of having a veteran, innings-eater like Lackey early on and splitting up Lester and Buchholz, just to spread out the two guys who led the rotation a year ago. While Buchholz was tremendous in 2010, he remains the least experienced of the bunch, so bumping him into the middle might also help his progression.
"I think we feel like Lackey has a way of lining up with whoever he's pitching against, whether it's a number one or a number five," Francona said. "You look up in the seventh and you have a chance to win, which we like. Buck did so good. I think we feel like having Buck come out third just enhances our chance to win a little bit. Buck's numbers would say that he can pitch anywhere. I just think Lack's a veteran, he's done it. I think spacing Buck and Lester out, something to be said for that, too."
Beckett was the Opening Day starter in 2010. After going 6-6 in an injury-riddled campaign, the club wanted to allow him to ease into the season and ensure he gets off on the right foot.
"Just with the way last year unfolded we wanted to get him off to a good start," Francona said of pitching Beckett fourth. "He'll pitch in that game in Cleveland. I think that's a good place to start."
Lester will oppose Texas left-hander C.J. Wilson in the opener. Colby Lewis is lined up for the second game. Tommy Hunter is the favorite for the No. 3 spot opposite Buchholz, but he has not locked up a rotation spot just yet.
