Terry Francona announced the Red Sox ALCS at a press conference:

Game 1: Daisuke Matsuzaka
Game 2: Josh Beckett
Game 3: Jon Lester
Game 4: Tim Wakefield
Game 5*: Daisuke Matsuzaka
Game 6*: Josh Beckett
Game 7*: Jon Lester
(*if necessary)

"It’s best of seven. It’s not best of six," Francona said. "The idea is to win the series, not win Game 6. I never quite understood that philosophy. Our idea, the way we set it up, is to win the series. If it’s such a big deal to pitch [Lester] in Game 6, what happens Game 7? We’ll give the guys the rest they need and set it up for the entire series. And then if you’re losing, don’t panic."

First of all after 2 World Series in 4 years Terry Francona shouldn’t have to explain himself to anyone. "Because I said so" should be enough at this point. But naturally Red Sox fans and media members - who somehow think they know more than Tito about his own team – are lining up by the thousands to question whether Francona should go with John Lester in Games 2 and 6 instead of Josh Beckett.  Now is this a legitimate argument? Sure, Lester has been the Red Sox best pitcher and you'd hate to have him only pitch once in the series, but Red Sox Nation has been so dead-wrong on Francona it is beyond laughable at this point. 90% of the fans and media wanted him fired long, long ago. And now these same people have the balls to question Francona on the rotation?  He's 14-4 in his last 18 post-season games - I think he knows what he's doing!  Again, Lester vs. Beckett in Game 2 is a legitimate argument, but Francona has to get the benefit of the doubt.  After 2 World Series in 4 years, you've got to trust he's making the best decision for his ballclub. Sure he’s got 1 more championship ring (thanks to Brady), but it’s kind of hilarious how Bill Belichick can do no wrong in this town and Francona still gets treated like he's got something to prove.