Game Preview: Matsuzaka's Fenway debut

Mariners (2-2) at Red Sox (4-3)

7PM, Fenway Park

ESPN 2 & ESPN 2 HD

Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-0) vs. Felix Hernandez (1-0)

The day has finally come. After an intense off-season filled with record-setting rights fees, rancorous negotiations, trans-continental meetings and a whole lot of wooing the Japanese/ American phenomenon known as Dice-K will make his Fenway Park debut tonight against the Mariners.

He already got his feet wet in the major leagues last week when he tossed a 6-hit, 10-strikeout gem against the Royals, but his home debut, of which two nations have been waiting for since he agreed to his Red Sox deal in December, should contain enough hype to make the World Series seem like an exhibition.

The game will be televised nationally by ESPN and internationally by every television station in Dice-K's homeland, as he is the biggest local here to hit the states since Ichiro became the first Japanese position player to play in Major League Baseball in 2001. Ironically his former Japanese League nemesis will be the first batter Dice-K faces in his Boston premiere, further adding to the aura of intrigue and curiosity surrounding the hurler's much-anticipated debut.

The two foreign superstars have met on the ball field before as their career paths crossed for two seasons in 1999-200 in Japan, and the Diceman came away with a significant advantage in those meetings. Ichiro, one of the best hitters of all-time, could manage only 8 hits in 34 at bats (.235)against the crafty righty, and he has already been quoted as greatly looking forward to this long-awaited rematch with his respected foe & countryman.

Today might not be a good time to catch Ichiro napping after he took the collar last night, striking out against Josh Beckett three times for only the 6th time in his illustrious career. Combine that humiliation with going up against his old nemesis and the chances of him earning the Silver Sombrero again tonight are slim to none, but Dice-K and Red Sox Nation will settle for just keeping the lanky & dangerous outfielder off the base paths tonight.

Although the 200+ media members on hand will mostly be focused on the Dice/Ichiro angle, the Sox better pay attention to the kid opposing Matsuzaka on the mound; 21-year-old Felix Hernandez won the Mariner's opener last week in grand fashion, allowing 3 hits and no runs while striking out a dozen A's in the first opening day start of his young career, and looks like he could be another strong young fireballer to come from the West Coast.

It should be a great time at the old ballyard tonight. The Sox are coming off a splendid 14-3 beatdown of the M's, they have one of their best pitchers going for them, and the game is going to be seen by millions of viewers around the globe.

No pressure, Dice, no pressure.