Matsuzaka started Game 2 of the 2008 American League Division Series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and fared well over five-plus innings, handing the ball over to fellow countryman Hideki Okajima. However, Game 1 of the 2008 American League Championship Series was where Matsuzaka had his first solid postseason start. In seven-plus innings, he no-hit the Tampa Bay Rays before giving up a leadoff single to Carl Crawford in the seventh inning. Matsuzaka would earn the win in Boston's 2-0 win. However, at home in Game 5, Matsuzaka was rocked in four-plus innings for five runs on five hits, walking two, striking out two, and giving up three home runs to B.J. Upton, Carlos Peña, and Evan Longoria. Boston however staged a miracle comeback to win 8–7. The Rays went on to defeat the Red Sox in seven games to win the 2008 American League pennant.