ANAHEIM, Calif. — Josh Beckett remains on track to make his scheduled start Sunday in Game 3 of the Division Series after a successful bullpen session yesterday at Angel Stadium.

Beckett, who injured his right oblique last Friday in a side session at Fenway Park, threw 67 pitches without limitations in his biggest test since the injury.

"Josh had a real productive (session)," Manager Terry Francona said. "Pretty aggressive. I think we probably needed to do that. He needs to know going into a start that he has available what he needs to win. So (Thursday) was a very productive day. Nothing was cut short. Fastball had some finish to it. Threw all his pitches. I think we were very pleased with the way things went." Pitching coach John Farrell said the way Beckett threw his fastball was the telltale sign he is sufficiently recovered to pitch Sunday.

"The extension he was able to get with his fastball down and away to a right-handed hitter (showed) there was no discomfort in the oblique," Farrell said.

The news was less certain regarding third baseman Mike Lowell, who appeared to get through Game 1 without aggravating the torn labrum in his right hip despite making several defensive plays. Lowell ran gingerly to first base in all of his at-bats, but he said he expects to play tonight in Game 2.

"I don't see any problems," Lowell said. "I actually thought I was going to wake up really sore. I didn't. I'm looking forward to (Friday night's) game. I don't think I put myself in a position to just play one game. I don't think that's the right way to do it. I'm looking to play the whole postseason. I don't think that's anything special." But Francona indicated he might sit Lowell Friday night and save him for Sunday, when the Red Sox go against left-hander Joe Saunders at Fenway Park.

"We may have to make some changes as we go in the series," Francona said. "I spent a lot of time talking to Mike (Thursday) morning. It's not just like a little nagging hamstring he's dealing with. I really don't know what we're going to do. It's actually a very difficult decision for me. You've got a guy who's the ultimate gamer. He'll go out there every day.

"We're going back in a couple days to Fenway, facing a lefty. It's very important having his bat in the lineup. So again, there's some decisions we still need to make. I haven't come to a conclusion yet."