Angels' Jason Bulger makes a big impression

But if Bulger can bring the kind of confidence and stuff he had at Salt Lake to the Angels this month after being recalled to the big leagues Saturday, he could make a quantum leap, from pitcher with minimal big league experience to one on the Angels' playoff roster.

"That's something I'm keeping my eye on," Bulger, 29, said. "It's definitely a motivating factor. I want to prove to the coaching staff I can pitch and get guys out consistently, and maybe I'll get a chance to pitch in the postseason. That would be a dream come true."

Bulger took a huge first step toward that goal Saturday night, retiring the Chicago White Sox in order in the 12th, 13th and 14th innings, striking out five during a sparkling 44-pitch effort.

The Angels probably will go with a 10-man staff in the division series, moving one of their five starters to the bullpen and carrying five relievers.

Francisco Rodriguez, Scot Shields, Jose Arredondo and Darren Oliver are locks. Justin Speier, who is 1-8 with a 5.04 ERA in 56 games and has been anything but reliable, is not.

Though Speier has been with the Angels all season and is in the second year of a four-year, $18-million contract, the Angels probably will fill their last bullpen spot with the pitcher who is throwing the ball the best before October.

Bulger, who struck out 75 and walked only 22 in 43 innings at Salt Lake but had struggled in the big leagues before Saturday, with a 5.84 ERA in 23 career appearances, Shane Loux and Darren O'Day are the other candidates.

"Anybody who is on this team right now, we have confidence that there's a role for them and they can play well," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "They wouldn't be here if we didn't think that."

Bulger's stuff -- he mixes a 93-mph fastball with a hard breaking ball -- hasn't changed much, but after battling shoulder injuries the last two years, he is finally sound.

"This is the healthiest he's been in the couple of years we've seen him," Scioscia said.

Delay of game