The Sox’ Curt Schilling, left, bows to fellow pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka during Opening Day ceremonies at Fenway Park.

The providence journal / Bob Breidenbach

BOSTON — The Red Sox have the likely Cy Young Award winner as well as Japan’s best young pitcher on their roster, but they’ve crafted their postseason rotation around the whims of Curt Schilling.

Manager Terry Francona announced yesterday that after Josh Beckett starts Game One of the ALDS series tomorrow against the Angels’ John Lackey, he’ll send Daisuke Matsuzaka to the mound Friday for the second game. That means Schilling, who’ll turn 41 next month, will wait until the series moves to Anaheim on Sunday.

The decision creates two fallout issues. First, the inexperienced Matsuzaka will get the ball at Fenway Park next week if the series lasts five games. Schilling will then be freed to start the first game of the ALCS against either the Yankees or the Indians. None of the pitchers was available to comment yesterday, but Francona made it clear that getting a “maximum Schilling” was the impetus behind his decision.

“I’ve known Schill for a long time and I know what makes him go and tick,” said Francona. “We’re trying to set this up where he can be the most effective over the course of multiple starts.”

Matsuzaka will match up against the Angels’ Kelvim Escobar. Schilling will oppose Jered Weaver on Sunday. Schilling was scheduled to start last Sunday’s season finale but was scratched in order to preserve his arm. He’ll now have 12 days of rest between starts, a respite that the manager feels will help get the veteran right-hander sharp for the entire postseason.

“We probably got the most bang for the buck when he was in the down period,” Francona said. “During those Triple-A starts (with Pawtucket) the ball probably came out of his hand better than it did at any time during the year. So doing what we’re doing, we’re trying to gear up for two or three weeks of starts. We’re hoping this will be the best way to get the maximum Schilling.”

The odd man out is Tim Wakefield, who finished 17-12 this season. However, the knuckleballer allowed 24 earned runs in his last five games. Also, the setup of the ALDS gives the teams three days off in one week, so using a fourth starter wasn’t necessary. Francona said Wakefield will be on the ALDS roster and is likely to start a game if the Sox advance to the ALCS round.

“Wake knew which way we were pretty much leaning,” said Francona. “He understands. I think anybody who picks up a baseball or plays a position wants to do what they’re supposed to do. Wake puts the team first, and he’ll do what we ask him to do . . . I don’t think you’ve seen the last of Wakefield starting.”

Matsuzaka didn’t appear in any of the 10 games the Red Sox played against the Angels this season. Francona and pitching coach John Farrell both said that may play into the quirky Japanese star’s hands right now. The other two Sox starters enjoyed mixed results against the Angels this season. Beckett started twice against L.A., giving up two earned runs in 13 innings. Schilling was hit a little harder, going 2-1 with a 4.05 ERA in three starts. He allowed 20 hits in 21 innings, struck out 12 and gave up three home runs.

The Sox have taken steps to rejuvenate Matsuzaka’s arm over the last few weeks, giving him two extra days of rest at one point and working on some basics in between starts, according to Farrell. He owns a 4.86 ERA at Fenway and is 4.02 on the road, but there are concerns how he’d respond in hostile territory in the playoffs. He was impressive in his final start of the regular season last Friday, when he limited the Twins to two earned runs over eight innings.

“Like all of his adjustments, it’s taken time, and it’s taken him experiencing those things firsthand to then recognize that he can perform,” said Farrell. “I think he’s had a very successful year for us. High expectations, no doubt. But he’s pitched over 200 innings, he’s won 15 games, with a chance to win a number of others. He’s one of the main reasons we’re sitting here today ready to face the Angels.”

kmcnamar@projo.com