The Boston Red Sox spent over $50 million just for the rights to negotiate with Daisuke Matsuzaka and on Saturday the Japanese pitcher will be expected to repay some of that fee when he takes to the mound for Game Three of the World Series against the Colorado Rockies.
The Red Sox take a lead 2-0 to Denver after winning the opening two games of the best-of-seven series at Fenway Park.
Matsuzaka, who cost a total of $103 million when he moved from Japanese club Seibu Lions, will become the first Japanese pitcher to start in a World Series game.
‘Just because you have a long career doesn't necessarily mean that you get to be in this position, so today I feel very happy,’ Matsuzaka told reporters.
The 27-year-old has had the World Series in his sights since he was shown a replica of the trophy by Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner shortly before signing for Boston in December.
‘Last year when I saw the trophy, I felt that it was very beautiful and I was very moved. At that point a lot of things were still in the air, but I definitely wanted to hold that trophy in my own hands one day,’ he added.
‘As I said after I signed with the Red Sox in the press conference, I wanted to play my small part in getting us to the championship, and if others could think that I played my small part to get us here, then I would be very satisfied and grateful.’
The Rockies' Coors Field with Denver's mile-high elevation in the Rocky Mountains means thinner air, which offers less resistance to baseballs. The air and dry climate hurts pitchers as their curve balls have relatively less break, while the conditions help hitters smack the ball farther.
Matsuzaka said so far he has not had much indication that the different air pressure will have an influence on his pitches.
‘I arrived yesterday (Thursday), and I don't know if it's just that I'm insensitive but I haven't noticed anything too different,’ he said.
‘Playing catch and just feeling things out, I felt I might have to work a little 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.’
