Red Sox head into yet another ALDS clash with the Angels on a high

It was not critical that the Red Sox conducted a four-game sweep of the Indians to end the regular season, but it sure feels better knowing that this team is heading into the playoffs on a high. Though Clay Buchholz was knocked around on Sunday - allowing six runs and five hits in three innings - the Sox offense pounded Cleveland pitching again in a 12-7 victory.

The season-ending series at Fenway Park was inconsequential in the standings since the Sox have known for awhile that they will face the Angels in the ALDS. Yet the set versus Cleveland served as an important tune-up for some players. Jon Lester, who will start Game One of the ALDS, and Josh Beckett, who will get the call in Game Two, each showed that they are healthy. Yesterday, Alex Gonzalez proved that his hand is alright as he started at shortstop and belted his fifth home run since joining the Sox in August. J.D. Drew, who played little in the last week to rest his shoulder, ripped two home runs on Sunday.

Jed Lowrie, who is still recovering from a surgically repaired wrist, hit a grand slam. Lowrie is fine on defense, and he hits without pain from the right side, but he still winces when he connects with the ball while batting left-handed. His grand slam was slugged from the left side.

Though it is seemingly a long wait from the last day of the regular season until the first game of the ALDS for Red Sox Nation, the team can use the rest. Mike Lowell is expected to be ready after missing Sunday's game with a jammed thumb.

Here are some notes and observations as the Sox prepare for yet another ALDS clash with the Angels:

• Though the Yankees will probably not announce their intentions until after Tuesday's one-game playoff between the Twins and Tigers, they will likely opt to start the ALDS on Wednesday, which would mean that Boston and LA would open their series on Thursday. If so, Thursday's game and Friday's game would start at 9:37 p.m. ET.
• The Angels are much improved over last season. Their rotation is strong from top to bottom, and their offense is more patient because of Bobby Abreu's influence. Sooner or later, Boston's post-season dominance over the Angels will reach an end, but until it does, there is no reason not to select the Sox. My forecast for the ALDS - Red Sox over the Angels in four games.
• I still firmly believe that the Yankees would much rather play the Tigers than the Twins. True, Minnesota does not have the injured Justin Morneau, and its rotation is stocked with five middle of the rotation caliber starters, but the Twins are on a roll. A Yankees-Twins ALDS could advance to five games. A Yankees-Tigers ALDS would likely be won by the Yankees in a sweep.
• Remember when J.D. Drew was hitting in the .240s earlier this season and not generating many runs? With two home runs yesterday, he finished the regular season with 24 dingers and 68 RBI and a .279 average. Drew was batting .244 on August 8 before a 3-for-4 performance against the Yankees breathed life into his bat. The right fielder had three two home run games after that day (August 20 against Toronto, August 27 versus the White Sox and yesterday against the Indians). Drew has long been known as a streaky hitter. Fortunately, he is sizzling at the right time, batting .329 in August and .338 in September. Though he has been frustrating to watch at times, there is no doubt that Drew has stepped up for Boston in the post-season. Call him the anti A-Rod.
• Clay Buchholz was named the Game Three starter. I would rather see Daisuke Matsuzaka in that spot. Evidently, Dice-K will get the call in Game Four and Jon Lester would return for Game Five. Buchholz has looked shaky in his last two starts, leaving his fast ball high in the zone and getting clubbed. Is it a case of boredom pitching in meaningless games, or is Buchholz in a funk at an inopportune time? We shall see in Game Three. The Angels will counter with Scott Kazmir.
• Though I experienced my first dose of Red Sox heartbreak when Bucky Dent hit the home run off Mike Torrez in 1978, I still find one-game playoffs exciting. Interestingly, home teams are 4-4 in the history of one-game playoffs. The Red Sox have lost both of their play-in games - to the Indians in 1948 at Fenway Park and to the Yankees in 1978 at Fenway. This is the second year in a row that Minnesota has played an extra game. The Twins lost to the White Sox last year, 1-0. I think they will win tomorrow's game at the Metrodome.
• Alex Gonzalez has endeared himself to Red Sox Nation for stabilizing the shortstop position, but you will support him even more when you read the article that Jessica Camerato wrote about him for WEEI.com. I truly hope that the Red Sox pick up his 2010 option for $6 million and use a healthy Jed Lowrie as a super utility guy who can play all infield positions.