Setting the rotation for next week's Division Series against the Boston Red Sox is the Angels' main priority as the regular season winds down, manager Mike Scioscia said.

"There's a lot of things we're considering," Scioscia said. "Number one is going to be setting our rotation. I think that's always the most important thing to do. Then you try to anticipate some depth issues that might come up in games.

"But number one is definitely setting your rotation."

Scioscia is not ready to announce that playoff rotation, but it seems apparent the Angels will go with John Lackey and Jered Weaver in Games 1 and 2 at home. Lackey will make his final regular-season start on Thursday against the Rangers.

Left-handers Scott Kazmir and Joe Saunders would seem to be the choices for Games 3 and 4 in Boston. Both have a history of success there.

With the first-round schedule yet to be finalized, though, Scioscia is not ready to commit to a three- or four-man rotation in the first round.

"I think there's arguments on both sides," he said. "Do you want depth in your 'pen (with one or more starters moved there) or depth in your rotation?"

ANGELS 5, RANGERS 0: Matt Palmer and four Angels relievers combined on a one-hit shutout. Palmer allowed a single to the first batter in the game (Julio Borbon). The one-hitter came on the 25th anniversary of the perfect game thrown by Mike Witt against the Rangers. It was the first combined one-hitter by the Angels since Bartolo Colon, Francisco Rodriguez and Troy Percival did it, also against the Rangers, on July 27, 2004.

Copyright (C) 2009 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.