ANGELS NOTEBOOK: CAREER YEAR IS OLIVARES' ONLY FOCUS.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

Pitcher Omar Olivares has been the Angels' most consistent starter this season. He's the only starter with a winning record (8-6), the only starter with a complete game (two) and ranks seventh in the league in ERA (3.28).

He also happens to be in the final year of a contract that is paying him $1.6 million this season.

``I'd love to stay here,'' said Olivares, who joined the Angels in 1998. ``I like it here a lot. But you know how business is.''

Although Olivares is having a career year, he says he can't allow himself to think about his contract situation during the season.

``I'm really not thinking about it or worrying about it,'' he said. ``I've got to focus on pitching right now, and what I've got to do. I don't want to think about anything else.''

Even though he's been pitching professionally since 1987, Olivares is just 31. He's been all over the big leagues, playing for St. Louis, Colorado, Philadelphia, Detroit and Seattle before coming to Anaheim. He also pitches for Puerto Rico in the Winter League each year.

Rotation set: Manager Terry Collins has decided on his rotation coming out of the All-Star break for the team's six-game homestand. Chuck Finley will start Thursday against the Dodgers, followed by Olivares and Steve Sparks. The Dodgers' starters in the series will be Kevin Brown, Ismael Valdes and Chan Ho Park.

The Angels will face San Diego for a three-game series starting Sunday. Mike Fyhrie will open the series for the Angels, followed by Ken Hill.

Glaus cleaning up: Troy Glaus hit cleanup Sunday for the third time this season, even though in his first two games in that spot he was 1 for 6 with three strikeouts.