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 he’d only hinted at before: Left-hander Jon Lester will start Game 1 of the AL division series.

“He’s been outstanding in the second half,” Farrell said in the clubhouse. “The last couple of starts he’s 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 wildcard 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 we’re prepared, and not letting a four-day layoff affect us,” Farrell said. “No one’s 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 today’s 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 firstinning double by Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

“Obviously, it wasn’t 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 don’t 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.

“I’m pretty glad I’m on this side,” outfielder Jonny Gomes said after facing his teammates.

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.”