NEW YORK -- Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester, who had an outstanding complete-game, five-hitter against the Yankees on Thursday, will make his last start of the first half of the season against the Twins on Tuesday at Fenway Park. Boston has an off-day on Thursday, so that means Daisuke Matsuzaka will start the final game before the All-Star break next Sunday.

Lester is fourth in the A.L. with 117 2/3 innings pitched.

"I’m aware of that," said manager Terry Francona. "He's built to carry a big load, but at the same time we need to use some good conscience."

Only a few seasons ago, when the southpaw was developing in the minors, Red Sox management limited Lester's innings, which frustrated the pitcher. He now understands why that was done and he’s better able to handle the load he’s undertaking now.

Lester is on pace for a 200-plus inning season, which he has never reached before. The most he’s worked in a season was 153 2/3 innings between the minors and majors in 2007 as he fought his way back from cancer.

Francona said he’s not worried about the accumulative innings this season.

"No," he said. "We would have slowed him down [if it was a concern]. We just don't look at his start. We look at the next day and how he bounces back and the side day. We keep an eye on everything. He's been as consistent as anybody we’ve been around. He handles it very well."

With the coming All-Star Game, Lester should get a well-deserved rest. However, that may come to an abrupt end since there’s a possibility he could be added to the American League All-Star Team. Francona is the manager of the A.L. club, so it should be interesting how he handles it.