Matsuzaka gets call for Game 2

Because of a combination of Daisuke Matsuzaka's dominance in his last outing and a chance to get extra rest for Curt Schilling, the Red Sox have decided to use Matsuzaka as their No. 2 starter in the American League Division Series behind Josh Beckett, with Schilling taking the ball in Game 3 in Anaheim, Calif.

"We feel that all three starting pitchers are capable of giving strong performances," pitching coach John Farrell said. "We know that starter No. 2 is going to also be called upon in Game 5 if that situation does arise and, dealing with a normal five-day rotation, strength and overall durability had some factor on that.

"But I think Daisuke's last performance here closing out the end of the regular season was a main contributor to that. And he has not faced the Angels to date, so we feel like somewhat of the unknown may be in the favor of the pitcher right now."

The decision to go with a three-man rotation in the eight-day, five-game series against the Angels means the Red Sox will not need Tim Wakefield to start in the first round. He will pitch out of the bullpen, though manager Terry Francona emphasized Wakefield certainly may start in the postseason.

While there was no doubt that Beckett, the Cy Young Award candidate and ace of the rotation, would get the ball against John Lackey in Game 1 tomorrow, the questions concerned the order of the next two pitchers. Matsuzaka now will pitch against Kelvim Escobar, the Angels' No. 2, Friday night. Schilling will oppose Jered Weaver Sunday.

"What it probably comes down to the most is I think we - when I say we, I'm talking John Farrell, Theo [Epstein], myself, and Schilling himself, too - probably got the most bang for the buck when he was in the down period, then he went out and [had] those Triple A starts," Francona said. "The ball probably came out of his hand better then than it did any period over the year.

"So doing what we're doing, we're trying to gear up for 2 1/2, three weeks of starts. We're hoping this will be the best way to get the maximum out of Schilling."

So despite Schilling's 8-2 postseason record, his 2.06 ERA, the Red Sox elected to go with the rookie from Japan in Game 2. Schilling had not specifically requested extra rest, but Farrell said the extra days off would not affect him the same way they could a younger pitcher, like Matsuzaka. After being scratched from his start in the season finale against Minnesota, Schilling will have had 12 days of rest before his start in Game 3.

"We're not just looking at the divisional series," Farrell said. "We know that starter No. 3, if we go to a five-game series, is likely to open up the ALCS. We hope that there's multiple starts for every one of our starters. Because of Curt's experience and certainly his success, he would position us well going forward."

Against the Angels this season, Schilling had a 4.05 ERA in three starts, going 2-1. He allowed 20 hits in 21 innings, striking out 12 and allowing three home runs. Beckett pitched against Los Angeles twice, giving up three runs (two earned) in 13 innings. He struck out 13. Matsuzaka has not faced the Angels.

Though Matsuzaka has significant road-home splits (4.86 at Fenway Park, 4.02 away), the Red Sox chose to have him pitch in Fenway Park, a decision influenced by that eight-inning, six-hit, two-run performance Friday against Minnesota.

"I think there were signs leading up to his last start that he was making the necessary adjustments to get back to his approach that he used pretty much in the first three months of the season," Farrell said. "Because he leaves some situations with men on base, they score, it can skew the numbers a little bit.

"But I think it was a huge step, particularly for his own confidence, knowing he came away from a win.

"He takes such pride in pitching deep in the game, and having completed eight innings is another added component, added belief that he is ready for the postseason."

Amalie Benjamin can be reached at abenjamin@globe.com.