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Starting Lineups, Game 3, World Series »
October 26, 2007
BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer
DENVER -- Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka hasn't had the best of luck during his first major-league postseason, but the Japanese right-hander will get another chance in Game Three on Saturday.
Dice-K played catch and took batting practice today and said he'll be ready to go on Saturday.
''I was feeling things out,'' he said. ''I felt like I might have to work a littel harder on my command while I'm here, and the one thing that I want to be particularly careful about is leaving the breaking ball up."
His last outing in Game Seven of the ALCS against the Indians, Matsuzaka began to come around when he worked five innings and allowed two runs on six hits with no walks and three strikeouts. He said he feels like he can build off that momentum and carry into Saturday against the Rockies.
''It is a different lineup," he said. ''But I know they are a very aggressive lineup throughout. Even though I know that, I'd like to go in there and pitch without hesitation, throw strikes and get outs."
Matsuzaka did not face the Rockies during the three-game series at Fenway Park in June, so Colorado has been watching plenty of video.
"He has an elaborate mix of pitches," said Rockies manager Clint Hurdle. "We have five on the record. He challenges the strike zone . . . I think we can put some pressure on him, maybe get him into some offensive counts. When we get opportunities to score we need to capitalize on those. We've seen all the tape we need to see, and now we need to see him in person."
If he's able to keep the Rockies' offense at bay just like Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling have been able to do, then the Red Sox could find themselves one victory away from sweeping the series with Jon Lester scheduled to pitch Game Four on Sunday.
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