I won't believe it until I see it either, but maybe this vote of confidence is what he needs. Or more so, maybe if he weren't named the Opening Day starter, he might take that as a slight and have his fragile ego bruised beyond repair. I don't know. He's such an enigma.
Anyway, he is the logical choice, IMO. There is not clear cut ace on the team, and he's not only the most veteran member of the starting rotation, but he's also the one who's been with the Sox the longest.