Projo Sports Blog

BY JIM DONALDSON
Journal Sports Writer

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Terry Francona wasn't prepared to say staff ace Josh Beckett -- Boston's postseason pitching hero in the 2007 playoffs, when he was 4-0, with a miniscule, 1.20 ERA in 30 innings -- is a "lock" to start Game Three at Fenway Park on Sunday.

"I don't think 'lock' is an appropriate word," Francona said at his pregame press conference. "I don't know if anybody is a 'lock.'

"I'll tell you what he did do today. He went out and threw his long toss. He got to 150 feet, and did pretty well. He has to answer some physical questions every step of the way, and today was a good one."

Beckett would have started Game One in Anaheim, but was pushed back because of a strained oblique muscle.

"If everything goes okay," Francona said, "he'll throw his side session tomorrow, but we reserve the right to make a change if we don't think it's in his best interest physically. He's had a real good last couple days, and today was another good day. Now, part of that is the evaluation of how he'll respond later. Will he stiffen up? But, so far, everything has been pretty positive."

 Tags  Boston Red Sox Josh Beckett

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