Josh Beckett Should Start for the Boston Red Sox in a One-Game Playoff

Optimistic Red Sox fans everywhere seem to be wondering, "Who will the Sox start if they have a one-game playoff in Tampa?"

Josh Beckett. 

I don't care if his ankle hurts; I don't care if he's on three days' rest; I don't care if I need to paraphrase the entire length of Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs And Ham to convince the Red Sox that if there's a baseball game tomorrow then Josh Beckett should be on the mound. 

Here's the logic: If the Red Sox had one game they had to win and they needed a pitcher, who pitches? John Lackey? Tim Wakefield? Clay Buchholz? No, it's Beckett and everyone knows it should be Beckett. There's a time for rest, that's called the "offseason"—a season which very well could start very soon if there's any losses in the next two days. 

You didn't trade Hanley Ramirez to acquire a guy that could really bring it in June. You traded for Josh Beckett for precisely these moments. One where the season hung in the balance and you needed someone to step up. Do I need to mention that Mr. Beckett has started three games against Tampa this season and has a 2-0 record with an ERA of 0.78 and that the Rays are hitting .117 against him? 

If there's a one-game playoff tomorrow, then Beckett starts. Don't tell me you're concerned about who would start Game 1 of a possible playoff series. Let Lackey start. He's done it before and plus Boston needs to actually make the playoffs in order for a Game 1 starter to be a concern. 

Beckett also has a bit of a postseason history.

He led the Marlins to World Series glory in 2003 and was every bit as dominant in leading Boston to one in 2007. Yes, he struggled with injuries in 2008 and had a rough outing against the Angels in 2009, but Beckett has experience and attitude. You think he'd like to atone for his past two subpar outings against the Orioles? I'm thinking he'd love that chance.

If there's American League baseball on Thursday, then Josh Beckett should be starting.