BOSTON - There’s no question that Josh Beckett has proven that he can be a special player come playoff time. A part of two World Series teams — the Florida Marlins in 2003 and, of course, the Red Sox last season — the right-hander is a career 6-2 with a 1.73 ERA in postseason play after winning all four of his 2007 playoff starts, including a four-hit, 4-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels in Game One of last year’s American League Division Series.

Now Sox manager Terry Francona is hoping Jon Lester — tabbed to start Game One of the ALDS tomorrow night in Anaheim, given Beckett’s strained oblique — is capable of similar heroics.

“There’s no getting around what Beckett has done in postseason, not only for us, but for the Marlins,” he said. “I think we’re all looking forward to Jon Lester maybe making his time.”

Lester’s numbers this season indicate he certainly is capable of it. The 24-year-old southpaw posted a 16-6 record with a 3.21 ERA, going 4-1 this month to help Boston clinch the A.L. wildcard berth.

“He’s been so good the last four months of the year. This is an exciting time,” Francona said. “I think he was just named Pitcher of the Month again. . . . Again, we love what Beckett can do and we respect what Beckett can do. We’re starting to get that feeling about Lester.”