There were no major surprises when John Farrell announced his rotation for the American League division series on Wednesday.
Jon Lester will get the ball first for the Red Sox this Friday as they host the winner of the AL wild-card game in their first taste of postseason action since 2009.
After fighting through some midseason struggles, Lester was dominant down the stretch, allowing a run or fewer in five of his final eight starts. The left-hander went 5-1 over that stretch, pitching into the seventh inning or later six times, and he has long been speculated as the Red Sox’ top option heading into October.
John Lackey, who has been arguably Boston’s most consistent starter this season, will follow in Game 2, and Clay Buchholz is slated to start Game 3. If a fourth game is necessary, Jake Peavy will take the mound.
Boston’s ALDS opponent will be decided Wednesday night, when Cleveland hosts Tampa Bay in a winner-take-all playoff for the right to take on the AL’s top seed.
Game 1 at Fenway Park is scheduled for 3:07 p.m. ET on Friday.
