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October 4, 2007
Angels manager Mike Scioscia just said during his press briefing that slugger Vladimir Guerrero, who has been hampered by a triceps strain, will "probably" be healthy enough to start in right field Friday night for Game Two of the ALDS at Fenway Park.
Scioscia said Guerrero would work out this afternoon to see if he'll be able to play in the field. Whether he starts in the outfield may depend on how he feels tomorrow after having been through a workout.
If he can play in right, Scioscia said that will give the Angels more batting-order options in an attempt to create what the manager calls "batter's box" offense. He said the team can try and utilize its speed and create runs all it wants to, but none of it means anything unless they can get "batter's box" offense to put runners on base.
The Angels' outfield corps has been depleted. Not only was Guerrero out of the starting lineup Wednesday night in Game One -- though he went 2 for 4 as the designated hitter -- but the Angels also are missing center fielder Gary Matthews Jr., who is hobbled by a sprained ankle.
And then there's left fielder Garret Anderson. After Wednesday night's game, his right eye was virtually swollen shut because of conjunctivitis. Obviously, trying to hit big-league pitching with one eye, especially with your lead eye closed, is very difficult, but Scioscia said that unless something happens to Anderson's left eye, he expects Anderson to start tomorrow night.
-- Steven Krasner
Posted by Steven Krasner 
at 1:43 PM | Permalink
