Mike Scioscia says Angels will not be eliminated today
AL DIVISON SERIES
Manager cuts off line of questioning about the teams with the best record in each league possibly being swept in the first round of playoffs.
BOSTON -- This could be the last night of the Angels' season, but don't dare broach that topic with Manager Mike Scioscia.
In a news conference before today's game against the Boston Red Sox, a reporter noted that the Chicago Cubs, the team with the best record in the National League, already has been eliminated from the playoffs. The Angels, the team with the best record in the American League, could be eliminated tonight, but Scioscia sternly cut off the line of questioning.
"We're not getting eliminated tonight, so I'm not going to answer that question," Scioscia said.
The reporter tried to follow up with a more general question, but Scioscia wasn't buying it.
"We're not getting eliminated tonight," he said.
As expected, the Angels dropped Howie Kendrick to eighth in the batting order, behind Juan Rivera and Mike Napoli. Kendrick is hitless in nine at-bats in the series, with five strikeouts.
The Red Sox returned third baseman Mike Lowell to the lineup, despite his bad hip, but sat outfielder J.D. Drew, who has a bad back. Coco Crisp will start in center field for the Red Sox, with Jacoby Ellsbury moving to right field to replace Drew.
Drew hit the game-winning home run off Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez in Game 2 on Friday night at Angel Stadium.
"I do think we have to recognize the fact that he's played two games in a row, even though there's been a day off, for the first time in about 50 days," Boston Manager Terry Francona said.
bill.shaikin@latimes.com
