The Angels are getting ready to play their final game of the season, and Manager Mike Scioscia said he still has not heard anything about his job status for the future.
“I haven’t heard one way or the other, really,” Scioscia said. “I’m sure that at some point they’re going to let us know.”
Scioscia’s job has been rumored to be in jeoapardy because of the Angels’ fourth consecutive season missing the playoffs, despite the fact that he has five years remaining on his contract.
Scioscia said he understands he takes some reponsibility for the team’s third-place finish.
“We’re all accountable for some things that haven’t worked out, and I certainly am,” Scioscia said. “I think there are some things that, through the rearview mirror you can look at it and say that wasn’t the direction we needed to go.”
Scioscia declined to elaborate on which decisions he regretted.
General manager Jerry Dipoto, who has one year remaining on his deal, may also be in jeopardy of losing his job.
Owner Arte Moreno has said he’ll evaluate everyone. Presumably, decisions will be made within next week.
The Angels have a chance to have an impact on the postseason race with this 2 p.m. game against the Texas Rangers. As the day began, the Rangers were tied with the Tampa Bay Rays for the second wild card spot, one game behind the Cleveland Indians.
If the Rangers lose and the Rays win (they were up 6-0 in the fourth), the Rangers will be out. If the Rangers win, there are still multiple possibilities for tie-breaker games before the wild-card game.
The Angels are sending Jason Vargas to the mound against Rangers ace Yu Darvish.
Here’s the Angels lineup…
J.B. Shuck DH
Erick Aybar SS
Mike Trout CF
Josh Hamilton LF
Howie Kendrick 2B
Kole Calhoun RF
Mark Trumbo 1B
Hank Conger C
Andrew Romine 3B
And the Rangers…
Ian Kinsler 2B
Elvis Andrus SS
Alex Rios RF
Adrian Beltre 3B
A.J. Pierzynksi DH
Geovany Soto C
Mitch Moreland 1B
Craig Gentry LF
Leonys Martin CF
