MLB postseason 2016: Indians-Red Sox ALDS Game 1 lineups

The Indians and the Red Sox begin their ALDS at 8 p.m. ET on TBS on Thursday

Now that the Wild Card Games are complete, we're getting into the nitty gritty part of the postseason. The actual series, not the winner-take-all play-in games.

The Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox will open their ALDS matchup with Game 1 at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday night, at Progressive Field. Here's all you need to know about how to watch the game.

Both clubs announced their starting lineups for Game 1 a few hours before first pitch. Here is the starting lineup for the visiting Red Sox:

1. 2B Dustin Pedroia
2. 3B Brock Holt
3. RF Mookie Betts
4. DH David Ortiz
5. 1B Hanley Ramirez
6. SS Xander Bogaerts
7. CF Jackie Bradley Jr.
8. C Sandy Leon
9. LF Andrew Benintendi
   RHP Rick Porcello

Dropping Bogaerts to sixth is a fairly recent change for manager John Farrell. He'd been hitting Bogaerts either second or third most of the season. Farrell indicates he likes Holt hitting second because he breaks up the righties, and also because moving Bogaerts down helps lengthen the lineup.

Xander Bogaerts is hitting sixth in Game 1 of the ALDS, not second or third. USATSI

Now here is the starting lineup for the home Indians:

1. DH Carlos Santana
2. 2B Jason Kipnis
3. SS Francisco Lindor
4. 1B Mike Napoli
5. 3B Jose Ramirez
6. RF Lonnie Chisenhall
7. LF Coco Crisp
8. CF Tyler Naquin
9. C Roberto Perez
   RHP Trevor Bauer

Batting a slow DH like Santana leadoff is certainly unconventional, but it's not unusual for the Indians. Manager Terry Francona has been batting Santana leadoff for much of the season because he's a high on-base player who sets the tone for the rest of the lineup.

The Red Sox and Indians ranked first and second in runs scored in the American League this season, respectively. This ALDS matchup could be mighty fun.