Bodog Beat

Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka gets to start in front of his home crowd on March 25. (AP Images)

In an obvious move, Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka will start for the Boston Red Sox's regular-season opener, which takes place in Tokyo on March 25. The Red Sox will be playing the Oakland Athletics.

"I think that will be a ton of excitement," Boston manager Terry Francona said on Monday. "I know he's honored."

Jon Lester will pitch the second game of the two-game series in Japan on March 26 while Clay Buchholz and Tim Wakefield will be on the mound for to exhibition games in Japan.

Dice-K had an up-and-down year in his first season in the Major Leagues, posting an ERA of 4.40 with 15 wins and 12 losses.

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