I will never forget where I was for his MLB debut. I wrote my professor an email letting her know I was going to skip class to see Dice-K pitch because it was a piece of history for his country and our Nation.

Now, it is a new year, a new season, and a new opportunity for Daisuke Matsuzaka. This may sound odd, but Matsuzaka has to prove himself to Red Sox Nation again. He now has his feet wet in Major League Baseball, so the question is: can he improve on last year?

For me, Dice-K’s highest point of the last season was the last game I attended at Fenway — the A.L. East clinching title game. There was pressure in the air, but a calm pressure. It would turn out to be the biggest game for Dice-K up to that point in the season. He had been struggling but eventually would go on to win his second game since early August. Dice-K pitched well, allowing two runs, but it was not the box score that intrigued me. It was the confidence he appeared to have. There was a swagger to his walk and pitching. It seemed in my eyes at least Matsuzaka finally felt comfortable in his Red Sox uniform and the performance showed — only allowing two runs over 8 innings of work, including 8 strikeouts.

Dice-K had his ups in the season and certainly had his lows in the 07 campaign. I will not highlight a particular moment of a Matsuzaka low point, but here’s my biggest gripe.

Big Innings

If Matsuzaka has a better season this year it will depend on how well he manages the big innings. So often, Dice-K would be masterful through 4 or 5 innings then get obliterated in one inning, giving up a big chunk of runs while taking himself out of the game — both in the box score and mentally. The key for Matsuzaka’s success this season is to limit those big innings. Slow down and take a breath and turn out a double-play ball or a big strikeout. He had too many big innings for my liking, and he put himself out of games and out of a chance for a win. He now knows the league better and I think this aspect of his game will improve.

Moving Forward

Going back to my point made earlier about Dice-K proving himself again to Red Sox Nation its really this simple. Matsuzaka has been in the league for a year there is no excuse as to say he does not know the league, so this is where he has to prove himself again. His numbers have to improve against the American League and I think they will.

2007 season: 15-12/ERA 4.40

2008 season (my projection): 15-9/ 3.80 ERA

I feel that since he knows the league and has another year to work with Jason Varitek that his ERA will improve and he will not lose as many games. Tito will know when to give him the hook and Dice-K will give up fewer big innings as he did last year.

I expect a good season from Dice-K but I have always been an optimistic Red Sox fan.

That said, Josh Beckett is still the ace on this staff.

Shawn Medeiros writes for MVN’s Firebrand of the American League