CLEVELAND -- Tim Wakefield will make his first start since the final week of the regular season Tuesday night in Game Four, and manager Terry Francona said it will be hard to look for an early indicators.

''I certainly don't say this disrespectfully,'' said Francona, ''but he's the hardest guy to be a manager for of any pitcher I've ever been around. He's such a good pitcher and he's been good for a long time. But I think I learned real quick (to) sometimes to take both your hands, put them underneath you and sit there.

''Because of the way he pitches, if you don't do that, it can drive you crazy a little bit. There's going to be stolen bases, there's going to be some walks. At the same time, if you're patient enough to let him pitch, and he's pitching well, he won 17 games. But it's very difficult.''