Derek Lowe didn’t think he’d be a factor in the ALCS – and didn’t mind saying so. Now he might be the X-factor.

As soon as he arrived at Yankee Stadium on Monday, the Red Sox right-hander told people in the visiting clubhouse that if they wanted to watch him throw, they should get out to the field during warm-ups.

The situation has changed drastically. Curt Schilling’s potential unavailability in Game 5 due to a right ankle tendon problem makes Lowe the likely fill-in candidate.

But Lowe’s tune hasn’t changed too much.

“You don’t want to get it by default,” Lowe told reporters in the visiting dugout last night, before Game 2. “What kills me about the whole thing is not being able to contribute.

“This is my fourth year in the playoffs, and every year I felt like I contributed. This postseason [stinks], in a way, because you know your role isn’t really going to be that important.

“So if you get an opportunity to start, you gladly take it. You look forward to it, because you want to help.”

Lowe hoped Schilling could make the start, but he’d like to know by today if he’ll be starting.

But manager Terry Francona professed confidence Schilling could pitch.

“The good thing for us is [Lowe] is able to relieve, he’s able to start, he is stretched out as a starter and he’s pitched big games,” Francona said.