Buchholz set to throw Wednesday

BALTIMORE -- Boston Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz is scheduled to throw in Wednesday’s intrasquad game, according to a baseball source, further evidence that Jon Lester and John Lackey will pitch the first two games of the American League division series that begins Friday.

Buchholz last pitched on Friday, meaning Wednesday’s intrasquad game would come with his normal four days’ rest. Game 3 of the AL division series is scheduled for a week from Monday, which would also keep Buchholz right on schedule.

Lackey, who originally was scheduled to pitch Sunday, last pitched last Tuesday night in Colorado, meaning he will have 10 days’ rest if he pitches Game 2 Saturday. The last time he pitched with extended rest came out of the All-Star break, when he had seven days’ rest. He lost to the Yankees, 5-2, giving up 10 hits and 4 runs in 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven and walking none. His fastball topped out at 96 miles an hour that game, the highest it has been all season. In his last start, he averaged 91 m.p.h., and topped out at 92.

Manager John Farrell has yet to announce the rotation.