Boston's Matsuzaka v Shields

ST PETERSBURG, Florida: Daisuke Matsuzaka will start for the Boston Red Sox when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays, who will counter with James Shields in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Friday, the teams said.

Matsuzaka was 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA during the regular season but was roughed up when he started Game Two of the AL Division Series against the Los Angeles Angels. The Japanese right-hander gave up eight hits and three runs over five innings but the defending champion Red Sox banged out 14 hits to defeat the Angels 7-5.

Shields was 14-8 with a 3.56 ERA in the regular season.