via Redsox.com, Josh Beckett has been having great workouts. Despite all of the hype around Matsuzaka and the distraction of Schilling's contract, I believe that  Beckett has to be the ace he was billed to be in order for the Sox to run to the front of the pack this year:

Beckett stands out: The one starting pitcher who has gotten rave reviews from just about every throwing session is Josh Beckett. The righty will make his exhibition season debut on Thursday against Northeastern University, and he certainly appears to be ready.

"I watched Beckett today and actually would use the word phenomenal -- threw fastballs down; they exploded through the zone," Francona said. "[He] threw the ball very well and under control."