Series Looks Pivotal for Tiebreaker Too

The elimination of the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox from wild-card contention before the final day of the season would mean the Angels and Oakland A’s would not have a playoff on Sept. 30 to decide the American League West title if they are tied.

Both would be assured of making the playoffs, and the division title would be determined by a series of tiebreakers, starting with their records in head-to-head competition. The A’s lead the Angels, 9-8, in that department after Monday’s 4-3 victory. The next tiebreaker is record within the division, a category in which the Angels have an edge. They are 25-21 against West foes after Monday and the A’s are 23-23.

Based on records after Sunday, the West winner is virtually certain to play the Minnesota Twins in the opening round and have the home-field advantage for Games 1, 2 and 5. The wild card would open against the Yankees at New York.

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Manager Mike Scioscia had penciled in Garret Anderson to start in left field Monday night, but Anderson’s right hamstring strain was still tender during batting practice, and Orlando Palmeiro started in his place.

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The Angels announced they would send Kevin Appier against Oakland on Thursday afternoon against the A’s Tim Hudson, rather than moving up the 34-year-old right-hander to pitch on three days’ rest.

Mickey Callaway, Anaheim’s 27-year-old rookie, will start Wednesday against the A’s 21-game winner, Barry Zito.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

JARROD WASHBURN

(18-5, 3.24 ERA)

vs.

ATHLETICS’

MARK MULDER

(17-7, 3.74 ERA)

Network Associates Coliseum, 7

TV--Channel 9. Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

Update--Washburn, who is vying to become the first Angel 20-game winner since Nolan Ryan won 22 in 1974, will be going on three days’ rest for the first time in his five-year major league career. Mulder is riding a four-game win streak over his last six starts, a stretch that includes the no-decision in the Athletics’ 7-6 loss to the Angels Thursday.