After a Great Deal of Anticipation, Big Moment Finally Arrives

There will be no scoreboard watching tonight. The Angels and Texas Rangers, who have not been separated by more than 3 1/2 games since June 3, square off at the Ballpark in Arlington for the first of five games in eight days that will likely determine the American League West championship.

If the real games are as compelling as the mind games leading up to the series, it should be an interesting week.

“Nobody thinks we’re going to win, so why should there be any pressure on us?” shortstop Gary DiSarcina said. “Everyone thinks Texas is going to win. We’re not getting the accolades, we’re supposed to lose, we’re supposed to fold, so we’ll enjoy it that much more [when we win].”

After the Rangers added pitchers Todd Stottlemyre and Esteban Loiaza, shortstop Royce Clayton and third baseman Todd Zeile before the July 31 trading deadline, and the Angels failed to pull off a major deal, many assumed Texas would run away with the division.

Kansas City Manager Tony Muser, comparing the teams’ talent, said he would “give the edge to Texas.” Former Angel first baseman Cecil Fielder said the Rangers had the better team “on paper.” That seems to be the sentiment in the Ranger clubhouse, as well.

“I feel we will win this division,” Texas second baseman Mark McLemore said. “I’m not doing a Joe Namath or anything, but I feel very confident.”

That’s fine with Angel Manager Terry Collins.

“Every time I hear something on television or pick up the newspaper, another manager is talking about how good Texas is,” Collins said. “I know how good they are. But you still have to go out and play.”

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Angel catcher Charlie O’Brien, who was sidelined for all of August because of a broken right thumb, broke his right index finger when he was hit by a pitch in the seventh inning of Tuesday night’s game, and it appears he will be out for the rest of the season.

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First baseman Darin Erstad, out since Sept. 2 because of a strained left hamstring, said he has made significant progress in the last five days and is able to swing a bat without pain.

“Could I pinch-hit if we needed a sacrifice fly or something? Probably. But it’s still real weak, which leaves me prone to re-aggravating it.”

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Angel pitcher Chuck Finley has had problems in Texas, but Tim Salmon has made himself right at home at the Ballpark in Arlington, batting .450 with nine homers and 27 RBIs in the Rangers’ new home park. Salmon also has the highest average by a Texas opponent with at least 150 at-bats, hitting .412 against the Rangers. . . . On their last visit to Arlington, the Angels won three of four games June 12-15.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Texas, two games.

* Site--The Ballpark in Arlington.

* Today--5 p.m.

* TV--ESPN tonight, Channel 9 Thursday night.

* Radio--KRLA (1110), XPRS (1090).

* Records--Angels 81-69, Rangers 80-70.

* Record vs. Rangers--5-2

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ CHUCK FINLEY (11-7, 3.34 ERA) vs. RANGERS’ TODD STOTTLEMYRE (3-4, 5.56 ERA)

* Update--First baseman Will Clark missed games Sunday and Monday because of a broken big toe on his right foot, but he returned as the team’s designated hitter Tuesday night.

* Thursday, 5 p.m.--Steve Sparks (9-3, 4.18 ERA) vs. Rick Helling (19-7, 4.30 ERA).