Beckett and Dice-K could start first four games of 2008 season for Red Sox

It’s never too early to start speculating, so let’s take a look at the Red Sox’ schedule for the beginning of the 2008 season and play a game of “guess the rotation.”

3/25 – Opening Day @Oakland (Japan)
3/26 - @ Oakland (Japan)
3/27 – off
3/28 - exhibition game
3/29 - exhibition game
3/30 - exhibition game
3/31 - off
4/1 - @Oakland
4/2 - @Oakland

With the way the schedule works out, Beckett and Dice-K could pitch the first four regular season games with six days off between starts.

Here’s the proposed rotation, and I expect the Sox will roll with this if everyone is healthy and present:

3/25 – Beckett
3/26 - Dice-K
3/27 – off
3/28 - Schilling
3/29 - Wakefield
3/30 - Lester
3/31 - off
4/1 - Beckett (6 days rest)
4/2 - Dice-K ( 6 days rest)
4/3 – off
4/4 – Schilling (6 days rest)

Of course, there’s the possibility that Dice-K won’t make it to Japan if his baby hasn’t been born yet. If that happens, then the rotation would probably look something like this:

3/25 – Beckett
3/26 - Schilling
3/27 – off
3/28 - Wakefield
3/29 - Lester
3/30 – Buchholz (it would be a great exhibition start for him, even if he starts in AAA)
3/31 - off
4/1 - Beckett (6 days rest)
4/2 – Dice-K
4/3 – off
4/4 – Schilling (8 days rest)

It’s also possible that the Red Sox would leave their 3-5 starters at home for the trip to Japan and start AAA guys in the exhibition games, but I don’t think the club will decide to do this. With the shortened Spring Training schedule, I think they’ll throw their top guys out there for the extra start before the season begins.

Despite my initial pessimism about starting the season in Japan, this trip could end up being beneficial to the Sox.

It sure won’t feel like Opening Day on March 25th, though.

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