Daisuke Mania Starts Today

Spring Training was crazy. Daisuke Matsuzaka and the mass of Japanese media that followed him made the normal lazy atmosphere of Ft. Myers and the Grapefruit League into a Godzilla-sized mess. Well, now the games count in the standings and every pitch that Matsuzaka releases will be watched and analyzed by Japanese and Bostonian writers, camera men, and fans with a sincere interest. Daisuke's first big league pitch will happen some time around 2:30 this afternoon in the remote American League outpost of Kansas City. The Royals are not the Yankees but it still makes for interesting baseball. The Red Sox have invested $103 million in the right arm of Matsuzaka and they are hoping for more than a victory over the Royals on the return but this first step is an important leap of faith for a franchise that talked about fiscal restraint before spending $51 million just for the right to negotiate with the former Seibu Lions ace. Expectations are high (AL Rookie of the Year, AL Cy Young, possibly even AL MVP in his first time through in America are expected by some) but they should be tempered until we get a true look at what Matsuzaka can do. Today is just the first taste for him -- he should be given the opportunity to become comfortable before his Hall-of-Fame plaque is made. My prediction for today? 7 innings, 5 hits, 2 earned runs and 8 strike outs. And as for his rookie year. I would be more than happy with 16 wins, 30 starts and an ERA under 4.00. Anything more would be a bonus.