Division series is a stretch

OAKLAND -- The Boston Red Sox, having clinched the best record in the American League on Saturday, chose to start their division series against the Angels on Wednesday, a format that would stretch the best-of-five series over eight days and give both teams the option of using a three-man rotation.

Angels ace John Lackey will oppose probable Cy Young Award winner Josh Beckett in Game 1 Wednesday in Fenway Park, and after an off day Thursday, Angels right-hander Kelvim Escobar will oppose Boston veteran Curt Schilling in Game 2 Friday.

The teams will travel to Southern California on Saturday, and Game 3, which will pit Angels right-hander Jered Weaver against right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, is scheduled for next Sunday in Angel Stadium.

Lackey and Beckett would be able to pitch again on regular rest in Game 4, which is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 8, in Angel Stadium. Because baseball added a travel day before Game 5, that would enable Escobar and Schilling to start Game 5, if necessary, on Oct. 10 in Fenway on regular rest.

Because the Yankees-Indians series will open Thursday and be spread out over seven days, those teams will need four starters, unless they choose to bring back a starter on short rest.

Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said he would carry a fourth starter -- most likely Joe Saunders, but possibly Bartolo Colon -- regardless of the series format.

But because he needs only three starters, and because center fielder Gary Matthews Jr. and third baseman Maicer Izturis are nursing injuries, Scioscia may opt to go with a nine-man pitching staff and carry an extra position player for the first round.

One day after saying he wouldn’t “put all these guys in a protective bubble,” Scioscia surveyed the trainers room and moved several regulars to high ground.

Designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero was still sore from getting hit in the left triceps by a pitch Friday and did not play Saturday, though Scioscia said the slugger could have played if needed.

Left fielder Garret Anderson (conjunctivitis), Izturis (tight left quadriceps) and Matthews (knee) did not play, and shortstop Orlando Cabrera and first baseman Casey Kotchman got the day off.

“It’s a little bit like the end of spring training, where you’re trying to prepare for a bigger challenge,” Scioscia said. “As important as it is for these guys to play and keep their edge, it’s equally important to make sure your bullpen stays sharp and fresh and your regulars, if they need to re-charge, re-charge. It’s a balance.”

Juan Rivera’s run-scoring single in the first inning Saturday ended a string in which the Angels went three games and 14 at-bats without a hit with runners in scoring position. In eight games since Sept. 21, the Angels are hitting .191 (nine for 47) with runners in scoring position.

The Angels broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth Saturday when Howie Kendrick led off with a single, Robb Quinlan doubled to right, Jeff Mathis hit a sacrifice fly and Erick Aybar singled to center.

Just when Chone Figgins accumulated enough plate appearances this past week to be listed among the league batting leaders, he went into an 0-for-20 slump that dropped his average from .347 on Sept. 22 to .332 on Saturday. He ranks seventh in the league in batting.

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com