Dice-K gets shot at redemption

By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer
Published October 21, 2007

BOSTON - The Red Sox's $103-million investment in Daisuke Matsuzaka has not looked to good as the Japanese import has struggled over the second half of his rookie season and in two playoff starts.

But he can make it all worthwhile with a big game tonight.

The Sox will start Matsuzaka in Game 7, though he's expected to be on something of a short leash, with knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, LHP Jon Lester and, potentially, Game 5 winner Josh Beckett all available in relief.

Matsuzaka struggled in the second half (going 5-6, 5.19 after a 10-6, 3.84 first half) and is 0-1, 6.75 in two postseason starts, allowing 13 hits (a .317 average) and five walks while lasting less than five innings each game.

Sox manager Terry Francona insists they are "excited" to have Matsuzaka starting with a World Series berth on the line.

"He was in here grinning, and that to me was him saying it's up to me to win this thing," Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon said. "I think he likes the challenge."

The Indians will counter with Jake Westbrook, who struggled in his division series start against the Yankees but beat the Red Sox in Game 3, allowing only two runs over 62/3 innings. "Each one has been bigger and bigger," Westbrook said. "(Tonight) is Game 7, so you can't get much bigger than that."

BROTHER ACT: With Saturday's grand slam, Boston's J.D. Drew and Arizona's Stephen Drew became the third set of brothers to hit homers in the same postseason. Ken (Cardinals) and Clete Boyer (Yankees) did it in 1964 and Roberto (Orioles) and Sandy Alomar (Indians) in 1997.

CHANGEUPS: As much as Francona is loyal to his players, he also has to do what's best for his team. Saturday, that meant benching struggling CF Coco Crisp (.143 in the ALCS, .161 for the postseason) in favor of rookie Jacoby Ellsbury. Francona said he gave serious consideration to doing the same to SS Julio Lugo but held off.

The Indians also made a change, starting veteran RF Trot Nixon in ahead of Franklin Gutierrez.

FINDIN' A GOOD MAN: The much-publicized relationship between Beckett and Game 5 anthem singer Danielle Peck has a Tampa Bay tie. Their first real date, according to the Tennessean, was when the Sox were at the Trop in 2006: "Josh took her to lunch; she went to the game, and they had dinner afterward." She also was met him after a game at the Martini Bar at BayWalk.

Saturday, the Sox's anthem singer was retired Massachusetts state trooper Dan Clark, who, as far as anyone knew, had no connection to Indians starter Fausto Carmona.

MISCELLANY: Drew's grand slam was his fourth postseason homer. It was the third postseason grand slam by a Red Sox. ... Manny Ramirez is the first player in ALCS history to draw two walks in an inning. ... The Sox have hit into an LCS-record 13 double plays.

[Last modified October 21, 2007, 00:47:12]