Boston's Matsuzaka v Shields in series opener

ST PETERSBURG, Florida (Reuters) - Daisuke Matsuzaka will start for the Boston Red Sox when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays, who will counter with James Shields in Game One of the American League Championship Series on Friday, the teams said.

Matsuzaka was 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA during the regular season but was roughed up when he started Game Two of the A.L. Division Series against the Los Angeles Angels.

The Japanese right-hander gave up eight hits and three runs over five innings but the defending champion Red Sox banged out 14 hits to defeat the Angels 7-5.

Shields was 14-8 with a 3.56 ERA in the regular season.

Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon expects an intense series but said he wants his players to have fun.

"It is fun and games. Enjoy it," Maddon told reporters at a team practice.

"I don't want us to do anything differently (than the regular season). I want us to play the same game."

Boston's Josh Beckett will start Game Two of the ALCS against Rays' left-hander Scott Kazmir, while Jon Lester, who has not allowed an earned run in 14 innings this postseason, was scheduled to start Game Three against Tampa's Matt Garza.

Veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield will take the mound to start the fourth game of the best-of-seven series, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.