I’m with you, if I am above V2+20, I would pitch up (trade airspeed for altitude) just like you said; before cleaning up the wing.
Don't fly the 737, however...on the heavy types I've flown, I would not necessarily 'pitch up' for altitude...rather, accept the excess speed within the parameters of pitch limitations....IE: speed is your friend in the event of sudden engine/airframe unserviceable conditions.
Think...AA DC10 at ORD where the engine fell off.
Keep the blue side up, absolutely.