Anaheim vs. New York Yankees

RECORDS: Angels 99-63, AL wildcard; Yankees 103-58, AL East champions.

SEASON SERIES: Yankees won, 4-3.

MANAGERS: Mike Scioscia is 256-230 (.527) in three years with the Angels; Joe Torre is 685-445 (.606) in seven years with the Yankees, 56-22 (.718) in the postseason.

PITCHING MATCHUPS: Game 1 LHP Jarrod Washburn (18-6, 3.15) vs. RHP Roger Clemens (13-6, 4.35); Game 2 RHP Kevin Appier (14-12, 3.92) vs. LHP Andy Pettitte (13-5, 3.27); Game 3 RHP Ramon Ortiz (15-9, 3.77) vs. RHP Mike Mussina (18-10, 4.05); Game 4 (if necessary) TBA vs. LHP David Wells (19-7, 3.75).

ON THE SPOT: Yankees closer Mariano Rivera endured three separate stints on the disabled list this year. Since the start of the 1998 playoffs, Rivera has registered 23 postseason saves and gone 4-1, accounting for 63 percent of the Yanks’ wins.

SERIES SURPRISE: With LF Rondell White struggling, including a .192 average against the Angels, there could be an opening for rookie Juan Rivera or veteran John Vander Wal.

SERIES KEYS:

1. SLOWING GARRET: Angels LF Garret Anderson, who had an MVP-level year, is 42 for 114 (.368) in his career against Pettitte and Wells, the two lefties. Strangely, Anderson struggles against RHPs Clemens and Mussina: 15 for 73 (.205).

2. PEN MEN: Despite their low profiles, Angels relievers posted a 2.98 ERA, lowest in the league and nearly a half-run better anybody else. If their starters, who ranked fourth with a 4.00 ERA, could hand a lead to the Angels’ pen, America could fall in love with Ben Weber and Scot Shields.

3. SORIANO’S STAGE: Yankees 2B Alfonso Soriano had a breakout season but fell one homer short of becoming the fourth player with 40 homers and 40 stolen bases. He was 16 for 58 (.276) last year in his postseason debut, including a game-winning hit in the World Series and a Game 7 homer off Curt Schilling.

WORTH NOTING: Angels overcame 6-14 start to make first playoff trip since 1986. They lost in seven games to the Boston in the AL playoffs that year. … Yankees are making their eighth straight playoff appearance since baseball went to the three-division format. They have won four of the last six World Series. … Angels OF Darin Erstad is 4 for 8 with three RBI against Rivera. … Yankees 1B Jason Giambi is 6 for 26 (.231) against Washburn. … Yankees CF Bernie Williams is 3 for 12 (.250) against Angels closer Troy Percival, but that includes two homers. … Angels were 30-16 against left-handed starters, most wins in the majors in that category. Their .292 batting average against all lefties led the league as well, nine points higher than the Yankees, who were second-best.

PREDICTION: Yankees in four.

Minnesota Twins vs. Oakland A’s

RECORDS: Twins 94-67, AL Central champions; A’s 103-59, AL West champions.

SEASON SERIES: A’s won, 6-3.

MANAGERS: Ron Gardenhire is 94-67 (.584) in one year with the Twins; Art Howe is 600-533 (.530) in seven years with the A’s, 4-6 in the postseason.

PITCHING MATCHUPS: Game 1 RHP Brad Radke (9-5, 4.72) vs. RHP Tim Hudson (15-9, 2.98); Game 2 RHP Joe Mays (4-8, 5.38) vs. LHP Mark Mulder (19-7, 3.47); Game 3 RHP Rick Reed (15-7, 3.78) vs. LHP Barry Zito (22-5, 2.75); Game 4 (if necessary) LHP Eric Milton (13-9, 4.84) vs. Hudson.

ON THE SPOT: Howe. After bowing out in the first round the past two years, a third straight early exit would not be met with understanding.

SERIES SURPRISE: A’s OF John Mabry, a disappointment last year with the Marlins, went 4 for 11 (.364) with two homers and four RBI this year against the Twins. He came over from the Phillies in a May trade.

SERIES KEYS:

1. LEFT-WING LOCK: The Twins, with a left-handed heavy lineup, went just 23-29 against left-handed starters. They’ll face two of the game’s best in Zito and Mulder.

2. TORII, TORII, TORII: If the Twins are to win, do-it-all CF Torii Hunter will have to take charge. Ominously, he enters a combined 8 for 47 (.170) in his career against the A’s top three starters and closer Billy Koch.

3. ROAD WOES: Radke, despite his experience, was a strange choice for the opener considering his road ERA this year was 6.63, compared to 3.02 at home. He would pitch the deciding game on the road as well if the series goes the distance.

WORTH NOTING: Targeted for contraction by Bud Selig last winter, the Twins are making their first playoff appearance in 11 years. … A’s won 20 straight games from Aug. 13-Sept. 4, third-longest streak in the modern era. … Twins won World Series in last two playoff trips, 1987 and 1991. They went a combined 11-1 at home in those postseasons, including 8-0 in the World Series. They were 5-7 on the road in those playoffs. … Both teams had payrolls in the $40 million range. … A’s OF David Justice is on a division winner for the 11th straight year, a streak that includes stints with the Braves, Indians, Yankees and now A’s. … A’s SS Miguel Tejada is 3 for 5 with a homer and three RBI against Twins closer Eddie Guardado. … Twins 3B Corey Koskie (bruised right ankle) and LF Jacque Jones (sprained left ankle) have battled injuries of late. … Twins on-base percentage against lefties was 318, ninth in the league.

PREDICTION: A’s in three.