ANGELS NOTEBOOK: MATCHUP MAY HAVE FUTURE IMPLICATIONS.

Byline: Keven Chavez Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Angels manager Mike Scioscia has stated the company line so many times, it sounds as rehearsed as his appliance-store advertisements.

The Angels don't pay attention to the standings.

But after the Angels and the Red Sox - two American League division leaders and two of the past three World Series champions - banged heads this weekend, it's difficult not to look at these four games as more than just an average series.

If the playoffs began today, the Angels and Red Sox would be right back here at Angel Stadium, opening up a five-game division series in a rematch of last year's postseason sweep by Boston.

``You had two good teams going at each other,'' Scioscia said after the Angels' 5-1 loss on Sunday. ``Two good teams with a little different styles of how each one of them is in first place right now.

``I think both teams match up. Things we can do they're going to have to try and stop, and obviously some things they do will be a challenge for us to stop.''

The Angels did see two things from the Red Sox they're quite unlikely to see in future matchups - a bunt single by David Ortiz and a relief appearance by Curt Schilling.

In the eighth inning, Ortiz, one of baseball's most feared sluggers, came to the plate immediately following a two-out, three-run home run by Edgar Renteria.

The Angels' defense played their usual shift, with shortstop Orlando Cabrera on the right side of second base, where Ortiz grounded out in the sixth inning. This time, Ortiz laid down a perfect bunt single.

Schilling's experiment as a reliever came to an end Sunday. Schilling, who is expected to rejoin the Red Sox's starting rotation this week, surrendered three hits and the Angels' only run during a shaky ninth inning.

--Walk this way: The Angels and Vladimir Guerrero in particular got a taste of what they can expect during the pennant stretch and potential postseason.

Cabrera hit a first-inning double and advanced to third on a groundout, but with two outs and first base open, Guerrero was intentionally walked. It was the 17th time Guerrero has been intentionally walked - an Angels record - and the ninth time in 10 games that he has received a free pass.

--Anderson update: Left fielder Garret Anderson, who missed his eighth consecutive game Sunday with irritation in his right lower back and tendinitis in his left knee, took batting practice in the batting cage and could be ready to return as designated hitter when the Angels begin a road trip in Baltimore on Tuesday.

``Garret's legs feel better, his back's OK, he should be good to go Tuesday,'' Scioscia said. ``We'll break him in a little bit slowly.''