by MICHAEL BECKER, THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE , The Press Enterprise

The Angels , down 3-2 in the series, will face elimination for the second consecutive game today when they send Joe Saunders to the mound against Andy Pettitte at 5:20 p.m. PDT.

Although neither General Manager Tony Reagins nor Manager Mike Scioscia would officially name Lackey as a Game 7 starter, it's all but understood in the clubhouse that he'll pitch if the Angels win tonight.

"Hopefully, Joe goes ahead and throws up eight zeroes, and maybe you might see me again," Lackey said.

A persistent rain and a fast-moving thunderstorm caused Major League Baseball to postpone Game 6 about two hours before game time.

Although the Angels were prepared for a Game 6 in the slop, they were somewhat relieved that the makeup would be played this evening, which forecasters predict to be free of rain with temperatures in the 60s.

"You definitely want the game to be decided by the players," Lackey said, "and decided in good circumstances. You don't want anything fluky to decide a series this big, for sure."

Other than the starting time, little will change for Game 6. Yankees manager Joe Girardi still intends to use Pettitte. Scioscia will expend his bullpen, if necessary, knowing Game 6 could be their last.

Saunders will start on seven days of rest instead of six. He said a free evening Saturday would allow him to clear his head.

"I'm anxious," Saunders said. "It's not really nervous - more anxiety. I want to get out there and get it done. Let's get after it."

Girardi resisted the urge to start ace CC Sabathia today on his regular four days of rest and will remain with Pettitte. It will be his 38th postseason start, a record.

"The worst part of it is just the wait," Pettitte said. "This was the longest day ever."

After learning that the Angels may be staying an extra night in New York City, Angels outfielder Torii Hunter joked that he may need to buy an extra shirt. The Angels remained confident they can become the 12th team to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the LCS.

"Our focus is not on Game 7," Reagins said. "Our focus is on Game 6. In order to get to Game 7, we have to win Game 6."

But if they do win Game 6, it could then be Lackey vs. Sabathia. Scioscia had planned to use either Jered Weaver or Scott Kazmir. Neither was effective in his previous start.

Lackey has started on short rest three times in his career and is 2-1 with a 3.76 ERA. The last time he did so in the postseason? Game 7 of the 2002 World Series against the Giants.

"If we can get Lackey going in Game 7, we've got a lot of confidence in that one," Kazmir said.

Reach Michael Becker at mbecker@PE.com

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