Some pre-doubleheader notes …
As I write, the rain has stopped, crickets have infested the Angels’ dugout and the Rangers’ grounds crew is working on the field. Angels manager Mike Scioscia felt comfortable that the field would be playable come game time, which is in about 90 minutes. The field drains well here, and the weather is supposed to hold up the rest of the day.
Here’s some other notes from our session with the skipper …
- Kendrys Morales, listed as the designated hitter and in the No. 4 spot, is a game-time decision after he exited Friday’s game early with soreness in his right ribs. If he comes out of BP feeling fine, he’ll start.
- Chris Iannetta, starting behind the plate in Game 1, is unlikely to catch both games.
- Scioscia will mainly stay away from using his other three starters, since C.J. Wilson, Dan Haren and Jered Weaver (respectively) are slated to start the final three regular-season games. He believes that with the off day, and Zack Greinke and Ervin Santana hopefully going deep, they have enough. Jerome Williams and Nick Maronde can provide length if needed.
- Greinke probably won’t be pitching past that 110-, 115-pitch threshold he’s been limited to before. “That’s a full start for a pitcher, especially this time of year,” Scioscia said. “Hopefully if he’s pitch-efficient, he’s getting us to a point in the game where hopefully we can hold a lead. But I don’t think anything’s changed from where he’s been really this whole season as to what functional length he has.”
- Angels lead the season series against the Rangers, 9-8.