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Lackey prepares for playoffs in series finale with Rangers

Sep 21, 2008 - 7:11 AM LA Angels (95-59) at Texas (75-80), 3:05 pm EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- If there were ever a time for John Lackey to work out the kinks and fix his mechanics, this is it.

Looking to improve on his recent struggles and conduct a positive tune-up before the playoffs begin, the righthander takes the mound as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim seek to wrap up a sweep of the Texas Rangers on Sunday.

Lackey (11-4, 3.38 ERA) has had a rather successful campaign, but is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA over his last three starts. The 29-year-old righthander will likely be atop the Angels' playoff rotation, along with Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders.

Prior to his recent skid, he won 10 of 11 decisions and held opponents to three runs or less in 11 of 15 starts.

Francisco Rodriguez earned his 60th save and Garret Anderson homered and drove in three runs to help the Angels cruise to a 7-3 victory on Saturday. In the opener, battled back to defeat the Rangers, 15-13, despite blowing a 7-0 lead.

Texas sends Scott Feldman (5-7, 5.30) to the mound with hopes he can find some form of consistency before the season expires. The 25-year-old righthander has yet to win consecutive starts this year and has surrendered four or more runs in five of his last 12.

The Rangers, who have lost three straight, finish the season with another series against the Angels after completing a three-game set with the Oakland Athletics that begins on Monday.