Boston, MA (Best E Casino) - Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett, originally slated to start Game 1 of the team's upcoming division series against the Angels, will be pushed back to Game 3 after suffering an oblique strain in his latest bullpen session.

"(Jon) Lester will throw Game 1 in Anaheim, Daisuke (Matsuzaka) Game 2, and Beckett Game 3," said Boston manager Terry Francona. "The reason being on Friday his side session he strained his oblique. I think for obvious reasons and competitive reasons he wasn't going to pitch anyway, but that's sort of stating the obvious there. So we'll pitch those two guys first and slot him in Sunday and hopefully we'll be rolling, that's the whole idea."

In last year's playoffs, on the way to a World Series title, Beckett went 4-0 with a 1.20 ERA in four starts. He has most recently been on the disabled list on August 28, retroactive to August 18, with what was termed right elbow inflammation. Tests during that stint revealed no structural damage.

"I don't think it's frustrating. Things happen," Francona said. "If you deal with them well enough you handle it, and if you don't you go home. Things happen and you have to deal with them and find a way to win. I think Lester and Daisuke will do just fine."

In four September starts after coming off the DL, Beckett is 1-1 with a 2.16 ERA.