They’ve found a way to turn the World Series into a matter-of-fact affair. Way different than the ALCS, where they overcame a 3-0 hole against the Yankees in 2004 and the 3-1 deficit this year.

While Curt Schilling and Lowell can become free agents, the Red Sox enjoy a bright future. They didn’t have room on the postseason roster for Clay Buchholz, the rookie who pitched a no-hitter last month.

Lowell, the steady third baseman, hit .400 (6-for-15), scored six runs and drove in four. The thousands of Red Sox fans who gathered behind their dugout after the game chanted, “Re-sign Lowell!”

Right from the get-go, it was Boston’s night.

Ellsbury, who began the year merely hoping for a promotion to Triple-A, sliced the second pitch 3 feet inside the left-field line for a double. He alertly advanced on a grounder and scored when Ortiz barely bounced a single through the drawn-in infield.

As if the Red Sox needed any more early omens, Ortiz flashed a fancy glove in the second. A lumbering DH by trade, he neatly scooped up shortstop Julio Lugo’s one-hop throw.

Lowell hit a leadoff double in the fifth and made a headfirst dive to score on Varitek’s single off Aaron Cook. That made it 2-0 and, for the time being, left every Red Sox regular in the lineup hitting over .300 in the Series except Ramirez.

Lester started off in rare form, catching Kaz Matsui’s popup leading off the first. When Ramirez misplayed Matsui’s fly ball to left field into a double in the third, Lester also took care of the trouble himself.

The lefty struck out Troy Tulowitzki and Matt Holliday, punctuating the last pitch with a fist pump. Down to their last chance, Colorado’s hitters seemed to press and take huge hacks. Lester used that eagerness in his favor, often fooling them with sliders.

Cook, too, was trying to add a chapter to his success story. His career was cut short a few years ago because of blood clots in his lungs. He started on opening day this season, but hadn’t pitched in a major league game since Aug. 10 because of a strained side muscle.

Halfway through the game, it was clearly a pitchers’ duel. Hardly anyone would have predicted that in the pre-humidor days, when Coors hosted the highest-scoring All-Star game and earned its reputation as a hitters’ haven.

Notes: Francona is the first manager to start 8-0 in the Series. ... The Red Sox finished with 18 doubles, one off the Series record by the 1946 Cardinals and 1910 Philadelphia Athletics. ... The sweep meant no split decision for Denver sports fans. They can give their full attention to the Broncos, home Monday night against Brett Favre and Green Bay.

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