If you find yourself a bit tense about Josh Beckett's upcoming start, then you're not alone. Bobby Valentine is right there with you, holding his breath and waiting to see how Beckett does in the home opener:
↵↵↵"After today's game, [the 13-man pitching staff] could be more of a resolvable situation, but I'm still holding my breath making sure Josh is fine," said Valentine. "I was happy one time through the rotation, I was happy with the health and the ability of the starting staff. The extra pitcher was really protection against that situation."
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↵"[Beckett's thumb] is a moot point, but it's a situation that was out there, right? He has not even blinked an eye in the training room or in the clubhouse about the thumb being anything other than a historical fact," said Valentine. "He looked good this morning. He had a bounce in his step. He was ready to go. I'm looking forward to a quality pitcher pitching a quality game."
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Beckett himself doesn't seem to be too concerned, telling Pete Abraham on Thursday "It's fine. It's fine. It's fine. It's fine. It's fine. Jesus, it's fine."
↵Regardless of whether that's the case or not, Red Sox Nation will be right there with Valentine, because it's an even year, and that's often enough meant bad news for Beckett.
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