BOSTON — If the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez thought he was treated poorly by the fans in Boston, then Barry Bonds should expect baseball’s version of Armageddon when the San Francisco Giants visit Fenway Park for a three-game series, beginning tonight.

No doubt the reception will not be a friendly one for Bonds, accused of using steroids, and he probably expects as much. In the past he’s made comments about the city and its fans. This season, Curt Schilling made comments about Bonds, then quickly apologized.

The purist don’t want to see Bonds here, especially since he’s knocking on the door of history as he approaches Hank Aaron’s home-run record of 755. Bonds has 747 homers and could break the record this season, but not everyone in Boston wants to see him fail.

Red Sox rookie second baseman Dustin Pedroia, 23, grew up in California and is a Bonds fan. It bothers him to hear all the negativity surrounding his childhood hero. In fact, both attended Arizona State University, but Pedroia has met him only once.

“I’ve always been a huge fan,” he said. “All the stuff he goes through every day, with all the allegations and stuff, he’s been better than everybody his entire career. It’s not like he’s changed, and now he’s in his 40s and he’s still better than everybody else. People should lay off him, let him play and break records. I grew up watching him and I’ve loved him for a long time.”

Because Pedroia is playing in Boston, he’s constantly asked about the rich history of the club and what it’s like to play here. He quickly makes a comparison that he believes most fans in New England can understand when it comes to Barry Bonds.

“You know how Ted Williams is looked at here?” Pedroia said. “That’s how Bonds is there [in San Francisco]. He’s the man. If you go to a Giants game, they’re not booing Barry Bonds, that’s for sure because of what he’s done. The allegations and stuff, he hasn’t failed a drug test. Just let him do what he does, it’s fun to watch. The guy gets one ball to hit a week and he hits it out. It’s amazing. It’s unbelievable.”

Pedroia’s not alone.

Bonds is an icon in Japan and Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka will face him for the first time tomorrow. As confident as a hitter Bonds is, Dice-K said he’s ready for the challenge.

“In rare opportunities to face such powerful hitters,” he said, “I want to bring a powerful style of pitching. I hope I can find more velocity. I’m looking forward to it. It’s a rare opportunity to face a well-known batter. Personally, I’ll enjoy facing him.”

Dice-K said he remembers the scouting reports on him during an MLB goodwill tour in Asia to face a team of Japanese All-Stars, and the Red Sox starter plans on working extremely close with catcher Jason Varitek to prepare for the entire team, not just one guy.

“You do have to face a nine-man lineup and not just Barry Bonds,” said Matsuzaka.

The big question surrounding Bonds’ visit to Fenway Park is whether or not the Sox’ pitching staff will give him anything to hit. But, he’s pretty much used to that no matter where he plays.

“No matter where he is in that trek, we want to get him out,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “We don’t want any of those guys hitting homers against us because that’s not going to help us win. … We’ll end up doing what we think is in the best interest for us to win that game. Every situation is different.”

During Francona’s first major-league managerial job with the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League, he remembers what Bonds did to one of his young pitchers.

Matt Beech was a young and pretty confident left-hander when the Phillies were in San Francisco in the late 1990s. Bonds was coming up with an open base, so Francona went out to the mound to tell Beech to put him on.

“I remember he said something like ‘he hasn’t seen me,’ ” recalled Francona. “I didn’t even sit back down in the dugout and [Bonds] hit a home run, so we’re aware what he can do.”

In and around Fenway Park it is usually a circus when the Yankees come to town, but the atmosphere around the storied ballpark should be interesting this weekend.

“We’re used to this atmosphere all the time,” said Francona. “So, it’s no big deal.”

It will be for the fans.

smcdonald@projo.com