BOSTON -- Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell waited until all of his players safely made it out of a simulated game on Wednesday before confirming what hed only hinted at before: Left-hander Jon Lester will start Game 1 of the AL division series. "Hes been outstanding in the second half," Farrell said in the clubhouse. "The last couple of starts hes put together for us have been very strong." Lester was 15-8 with a 3.75 ERA this season, but he won his first six decisions and seven of his last nine. From May 20 through the All-Star break, he went 2-6 with a 6.27 ERA. Lester will be followed in the rotation by John Lackey and Clay Buchholz, with Jake Peavy ready to pitch Game 4 of the best-of-five series against Tampa Bay if necessary. The Rays advanced with a 4-0 victory at Cleveland in the AL wild-card game Wednesday night. The Red Sox have not played since finishing the regular season on Sept. 29 with a 97-65 record that tied the St. Louis Cardinals for the best in baseball. In order to stay sharp, the Red Sox held a workout on Tuesday and played a simulated game -- red vs. blue -- on Wednesday. "Today is part of doing what we can to ensure that were prepared, and not letting a four-day layoff affect us," Farrell said. "No ones looking at the layoff as a detriment." Almost 4,000 fans came to the ballpark to hear public address announcer Dick Flavin announce, "Welcome to todays game between the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Red Sox." Children lined up for balloon animals or to have their faces painted while former Red Sox infielder Ted Lepcio signed autographs on the concourse. The blue team, which included most of the regulars, won 1-0 on a first-inning double by Jarrod Saltalamacchia. "Obviously, it wasnt a real game atmosphere," infielder Will Middlebrooks said, adding that it was good to see live pitching after one day off and another with a more traditional workout. "Today we picked it up a bit. Two days off is a lot for us. You dont want to get too used to that." Lester did not pitch in the simulated game. Buchholz went three innings and allowed one run, Peavy pitched two scoreless innings and Lackey pitched one. "Im pretty glad Im on this side," outfielder Jonny Gomes said after facing his teammates. Most importantly, no one was hurt. Farrell has been reminded this week that in a scrimmage between the end of the 1946 season and the World Series that year, Ted Williams was hit on the right elbow by a pitch in a tuneup game and went on to bat 5 for 25 -- all singles -- in the Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Red Sox lost in seven games. No baserunners tried to break up double plays on Wednesday. And, except for a diving catch in right field by reserve Quintin Berry, nothing especially dangerous happened. "I think everyone understands the purpose of today," Farrell said before the game, adding after: "Our pitchers were cognizant of not trying to pitch inside. But we got our work in." Farrell also said on Wednesday that the team will carry 11 pitchers for the post-season. The roster decisions have mostly been made, he said without announcing them; the final rosters are due at 10 a.m. on Friday, the morning of Game 1. Ultra Boost 4.0 Sale Canada . Asdrubal Cabrera had four hits and three RBIs, Michael Brantley also homered and the Indians beat the injury-riddled Minnesota Twins 9-4 Thursday for their first three-game winning streak this season. Fake NMD Canada . Saltalamacchia has agreed to a $21 million, three-year deal with the Miami Marlins, two people familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday. http://www.nmdshoescanada.com/ultra-boost-cheap-canada/4.html . Felton was in court as the Manhattan district attorneys office outlined the agreement, which would resolve a gun case that arose amid the breakup of his marriage. Hes expected to admit June 30 to at least one charge, attempted criminal possession of a weapon -- he wont have to come to court to do so -- and get a $5,000 fine and 500 hours of community service. NMD XR1 Canada .C. -- Al Jefferson knows few people will be giving the Charlotte Bobcats a chance to upset the Miami Heat in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Adidas NMD For Sale Canada . When New Zealand finally held on for an 8-7 win, France No. 8 Imanol Harinordoquy collapsed to the ground, having given every drop of energy he could muster, and lay prone as All Blacks danced around him in celebration. Few critics had given France any chance, but coach Marc Lievremonts team rallied from 8-0 down and came within one kick of taking the lead with 15 minutes remaining, only for flyhalf Francois Trinh-Ducs 49-meter effort to drift wide.Open champion Henrik Stenson insists he will raise his game in an attempt to win the DP World Tour Championship this week. Stenson was chasing a third straight victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates a year ago, but saw his hopes effectively ended by an opening 77, his worst score by four shots in the European Tours season finale.The 40-year-old went on to finish joint last in the 60-man field as he felt the effects of a long season, which was still two weeks away from completion and due to be followed by a knee operation in December. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price The same knee has been giving Stenson problems this season as well, but he hopes to avoid any further surgery and finish the season as European No 1 for the second time in four years. Stenson celebrates victory at the Open Championship with the Claret Jug Asked about his performance last year, Stenson joked: You mean when I had to stand on my head to see myself on top of the leaderboard?Yeah, mainly I put it down to me being pretty flat when I came here. I had been out for a few weeks on the road and I think I was just running out of steam. Andrew Coltart has backed Henrik Stenson to win a second Race to Dubai title this weekend at the DP World Tour Championship.dddddddddddd Didnt get off to a great start, and after that, it was hard to come back.I know I can play well around here, I think Ive got a good game plan in place and Im going to go out there and try and execute it. Flashback: Rorys 2015 R2D win We look back at last years Dubai victory to help him end the year as Europes No 1 And even if I dont play my best, Im probably going to try a little bit harder than I did last year for the final two rounds.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Live European Tour Golf November 17, 2016, 8:00am Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Also See: EuropeanTour Schedule Watch online Golf live on Sky Sports 4 Free HD Golf Game ' ' ' '