ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Pedro Martinez will start for the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday in Game 1 of their playoff opener against the Oakland Athletics.

Red Sox manager Grady Little announced the move before Boston played at Tampa Bay on Friday night. The Red Sox clinched the AL wild card Thursday night.

“What we’ve got locked in right now is that Pedro Martinez is going to pitch the first game,” Little said.

Little said the Game 2 starter might not be announced until after the first game against the Athletics. The manager has not ruled out several options, including a three-man rotation and pitching Martinez on three days’ rest.

“That’s just a possibility,” Little said. “It’s far from being reality.”

AP-ES-09-26-03 1657EDT