ANGELS NOTEBOOK: DISARCINA SAYS THIS IS BEST TIME TO MEET EAST.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - The Angels opened the season with three games against the defending champion New York Yankees, and after today's off day will take on the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, two more teams expected to compete for playoff spots.

One school of thought is the Angels would prefer an easier schedule to open the season, so they could get a few wins and build confidence after last season's disaster. But that's not their thinking.

``We've got to face those guys some time,'' shortstop Gary DiSarcina said. ``It might as well be now. Maybe they don't have their act together yet coming out of spring training. Playing them in the middle of the season might be a tougher task.''

``We've played very competitive games against the Yankees,'' left fielder Darin Erstad said. ``The games could have gone either way, it's not like we didn't have opportunities. We can play with anybody.''

--Heart stopper: The heart of the Angels' lineup - Mo Vaughn, Tim Salmon and Garret Anderson in the Nos. 3, 4 and 5 spots - were a combined 4 for 27 with eight strikeouts in the first two losses. Offense was the club's biggest on-field problem last season, but manager Mike Scioscia isn't worried about his big guns.

``Those guys are going to hit,'' he said. ''You think, out of all the things on the club that could go wrong, those three are the last thing you have to worry about.''

--Short hops: Pitcher Ramon Ortiz is expected to pitch seven innings for Single-A Lake Elsinore tonight in the Storm's season opener. Ortiz, who says he feels no pain despite a small tear in his shoulder tissue, is expected to make his season debut Tuesday at home against the Blue Jays. . . . The Yankees will wear black armbands for the 2000 season to honor former manager and Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Lemon, a Long Beach native.