Here are five things we learned from the Red Sox' 6-2 win over the Indians, Friday night, at Fenway Park:

DAISUKE KEEPS ON ROLLING

Daisuke Matsuzaka looks like a viable postseason starter (if needed). It was hardly Game 7 of the 2007 ALCS, but Matsuzaka was facing the Indians in a start that meant a great deal to him and the Red Sox.

After allowing a leadoff double to Michael Brantley to start the game, Matsuzaka retired the next 12 batters. But as is often the case with a pitcher coming back after several months off, the Red Sox right-hander hit the wall.

He allowed a leadoff double to Travis Hafner in the fifth and this time Matsuzaka would not get out of the inning so easily. He lost command of his fastball quickly and the Indians seemed to zero in on him. Run-scoring singles by Luis Valbuena and Trevor Crowe made it 4-2.

But in classic Daisuke fashion, he loaded the bases only to get out of the jam without further damage. When Shin-Soo Choo swung and missed at a nasty 82 MPH slider down and in, and runners at every base, opponents fell to an amazing 0-for-21 in their last 21 plate appearances with the bases loaded.

“He threw the ball well, a good slider,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona observed. “I think every game he’s pitched (since his return) it seems like his slider has become not only maybe more consistent but certainly more depth to it. It’s the pitch that we’ve kind of grown accustomed to enjoy to watch. It was a pretty good pitch.”

So does Matsuzaka feel as confident as he appeared at times on Friday?

 “Heading into the playoffs, I had four starts and not just my start today but throughout those starts I was able to work on points that I felt were going to be important going into the playoffs and I had a really good feel for those points. I’m not sure yet what my role will be during the playoffs but I’m looking forward to them.”

Matsuzaka, in four starts since coming off the disabled list, was 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA. Can he help the Red Sox in the playoffs like he did two years ago?

“I don’t see why not,” his catcher Jason Varitek said.

The right-hander threw 26 pitches in the inning. He followed that up with another Houdini act in the sixth, his final inning of work before the playoffs. He threw 22 more pitches, issued his third walk (none in the first four innings) and gave up a hit. But with runners on first and second and one out, he fanned Valbuena and Shoppach for his sixth and seven strikeouts.

Matsuzaka earned his fourth win, throwing six innings, allowing five hits and two runs, while walking three and striking out seven. He threw one wild pitch.

The question isn’t whether Matsuzaka makes the roster. The question is how will he be used? A lot of that hinges on how Beckett’s back responds to Saturday’s final tune-up start against the Indians. If the Red Sox have any doubts, Friday proved to them they have more than a viable backup plan.

THE NAGGING INJURIES ARE COMING AT A REALLY BAD TIME

Alex Gonzalez was hit on the right hand with a fastball from Kerry Wood in the eighth inning. Gonzalez said an initial scan revealed a 'little line' on the back of his right hand. Red Sox manager Terry Francona said the team's medical staff indicated the line could be something as simple as a blood vessel.

Gonzalez will go for further tests on Saturday morning. Meanwhile, Jacoby Ellsbury said he'll be fine after getting his left ankle stepped on early in the game. He went for treatment immediately after the game. Right fielder Rocco Baldelli came out of the game in the fourth with a left hip flexor strain. He is day-to-day. 

CORTISONE IS THE SHOT OF CHOICE FOR THE RED SOX

According to ESPN, J.D. Drew became the latest to get an injection after coming up with a sore right shoulder. Josh Beckett, Saturday’s starter has already received three for his back and Mike Lowell had one this week for his surgically-repaired right hip. The Red Sox are depending on all three to contribute in the Divisional Series against the Angels.

BILLY WAGNER LOOKED PRETTY GOOD

Wagner couldn’t look much better his back-to-back test. The Red Sox wanted to get a good look at the hard-throwing lefty on back-to-back nights and Friday’s game presented the perfect opportunity leading off the seventh. Replacing Matsuzaka, Wagner fanned Crowe and Brantley, one on a fastball and the other on an 83 MPH sweeping slider. Most importantly, Wagner looked in complete command, keeping his fastball down at the knees and locating his breaking ball on the corners.

THE RED SOX WOULD LOVE TO SEE JACOBY ELLSBURY WITH 70 STEALS

Ellsbury attempted to steal third twice on Friday night. He was successful in the first inning when Kelly Shoppach’s throw sailed into left, allowing him to score the first run of the night. He was caught in the third inning. Ellsbury has not just broken Tommy Harper’s record this season, he has – in true Ellsbury fashion – blown right by it. But the more pressing question is will we see that same aggressiveness in the postseason beginning next week? With all the talk about the Angels running at will on every chance they get, assuming they get on base enough to do so, the Red Sox could give the Angels a dose of their own medicine in the playoffs. Though, traditionally, the Red Sox never like to take the bats out of the hands of their best hitters in the postseason.