BOSTON -- Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield was left off the World Series roster due to an ailing shoulder and back.

The 41-year-old knuckleballer was not on the roster for the American League Division Series, but he did pitch in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series and lost.

"It's a lot of inflammation in my shoulder and posterior shoulder and my back. There is no structural damage, based on an MRI that I had in September," Wakefield said. "It seems like my recovery time is getting longer and longer and longer. I just don't think it's fair to the other 24 guys on this team that I go out there and maybe I pitch well, maybe I don't."

Team officials said Wakefield's injury could mean the end of his professional pitching career. The pitcher was 17-12 with a 4.76 ERA in the regular season.

Josh Beckett will be on the mound in the series opener on Wednesday at Fenway Park. Curt Schilling will pitch Game 2, and Daisuke Matsuzaka will be on the mound in Game 3. Jon Lester may pitch Game 4 of the World Series on Sunday in Denver, the team said Tuesday.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona also said Jacoby Ellsbury would start Game 1 in center field in place of Coco Crisp.

"I am trying to not make a bid deal about all of these situations. I think once my career is over, I will sit back and think about what went on," Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon said.

Sox Fans Camp Out For Tickets

Some Sox fans are doing just about anything to be a part of the action, including camping out on the sidewalk at Fenway Park. By the time the fans get to the game, they will have waited in line for three days.

"It's like a once in a lifetime chance. I mean, I've got to take it," one fan said.

The Red Sox faithful said that they were blessed. Colorado Rockies fans have to buy their tickets online. On Monday, their computer system crashed. The team said that it was a target of an external attack.

"I really wish they would have done a certain amount at the outlet stores. It would have given people at least a shot and the real fans a chance," Rockies fan Chris Bianchi said.

"The Rockies are not too experienced in postseason ticket sales," another fan said.

Fans in Colorado will pay half as much as fans will pay to watch the game at Fenway Park. Tickets for Games 1 and 2 are selling on average for about $1,400 per ticket.

"Not many people can afford thousands of dollars to go see a game," another fan said.