With the best record in the AL now in the bag, manager Mike Scioscia confirmed after Friday’s game that the Angels have selected the best-of-five ALDS series that begins Wednesday. The owner of the AL’s best record had the option of chosing the series on Wednesday that comes with two off days, or the Thursday series that has just one off day.

The Angels could have made a nod to their deep pitching staff and chosen the Thursday series, which would require four starters, but they liked the option that the extra day off provided.

“It was related more in house with what we’re looking to do,” Scioscia said. “I think we’ll be able to trim up our pitching staff to condense it a little bit by having it on Wednesday, especially in the starting rotation.

“We’ll have an announcement to what our roster will look like but there are a lot of things to consider and Wednesday/Friday gives us a good look moving forward.”

After Game 1 on Wednesday, the Angels and Red Sox will resume the series Friday at Angel Stadium. After a travel day next Saturday, Game 3 will be played next Sunday (Oct. 5) at Boston. If necessary, Game 4 will take place Monday, Oct. 6 at Boston. Game 5, if necessary, will take place Wednesday, Oct. 8 at Angel Stadium.

In another annuncement, Scioscia said that Jered Weaver will throw about three innings (45 pitches) in an Arizona Instructional League game Saturday morning. He should be back with the team before Saturday night’s Angels game begins.

If October is approaching it must be time for another Angels Rally Monday. The latest will take place this Monday at Angel Stadium. Gates will open at 5 p.m. and the event is set to go down at 6:30 p.m. Both admission and parking is free.

When the idea of a rally began it seemed like an original and fresh idea. Gather the fans to set the tone for the upcomng playoffs. The fact is that these rallies are a MLB production and will take place for each of the teams headed to the playoffs. So maybe it’s not a grass roots thing, but it still does the trick for building excitement.

Here is the info on the event, straight from the Angels’ press release, that was updated just moments ago:

Scheduled for the Event are:

Hosts Rex Hudler and Steve Physioc

Performances by the hit band “SmashMouth”

Appearances by current Angels Torii Hunter, Howie Kendrick, Mike Napoli,

Jeff Mathis and Reggie Willits

Former Angels including Tim Salmon and Bobby Grich

Unveiling of 2008 A.L. West Champion Banner

Highlights of the Angels 2008 Season

U.S. Navy Leapfrogs

Fireworks Show

WHAT: Rally Monday will take place at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Monday

September 29th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All fans will receive rally towels and bandanas as they enter the event.

The team store will also have Angels’ playoff merchandise on sale.

WHEN: Monday, September 29, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. Gates open at 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Parking and admission free to all fans.

This little gem just came from the Elias Sports Bureau:

Mark Teixeira went 4-for-5 in the Angels’ win at Seattle on
Wednesday night, giving him 66 hits in his 50 games with the team. Only
three players had more hits in their first 50 games played for the
Angels: Johnny Ray (79), Alex Johnson (71) and Vladimir Guerrero (70).

There is nothing like a defeat to damper spirits, but the Angels don’t seem to get bothered by losses. In fact, they are the best in baseball at coming back the day after a defeat and STATS LLC has the info to prove it:

“It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the Los Angeles Angels have the majors’ highest winning percentage in games after a loss. The Angels are 38-20 after losing, good for a .661 win percentage. The surprise team in rebounding after a defeat is the Florida Marlins, who rank second in win percentage with a 44-28 record (.611). No team has won more games following a loss.”