Appier, Ortiz, Lackey will follow Washburn

? Jarrod Washburn will be followed in the Anaheim Angels’ World Series rotation by Kevin Appier, Ramon Ortiz and John Lackey.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who selected Washburn to pitch the opener on Monday, waited until Friday to announce the order of the rest of his starting pitchers.

“We’re confident lining up in any direction,” he said after Friday’s workout. “John Lackey is a swing guy, No. 4. He can pitch out of the ‘pen in 1 and also be ready for Game 7 if need be.”‘

Washburn faces Jason Schmidt in the opener, and Appier pitches against Russ Ortiz.

When the Series moves to Pacific Bell Park, Ramon Ortiz faces Livan Hernandez and Lackey pitches against Kirk Rueter.

“I threw a little on the side yesterday,” Lackey said. “I feel good. If they need me tomorrow, I’ll be ready to go. I’d rather be watching Wash. If I’m needed, that’s probably not a good sign.”

Ramon Ortiz, who beat Minnesota in Game 2 of the AL championship series, will be pitching on 13 days’ rest.

“The long layoff doesn’t matter,” he said. “I throw two, three bullpens, I’ll be fine.”

Baker had simple reasons for his choices.

“Our two hottest pitchers are Jason Schmidt and Russ Ortiz,” he said Thursday. “Also, if there’s a Game 7, Livan can handle it as well as anybody. He’s the only guy who’s been there before.”

Hernandez was the MVP of the 1997 NL championship series and World Series for Florida. He started Games 1 and 5 of the Marlins’ seven-game victory against Cleveland in the World Series.

“Game 3 is very important,” Hernandez said. “If it’s 2-0 or 1-1, it can turn the series around.”

Schmidt is 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in two postseason starts, while Ortiz is 2-0 with a 3.71 ERA in three starts. Hernandez is 1-0 with a 3.07 ERA in two starts, and Rueter is 1-1 with a 7.07 ERA in three starts.

Pitching coach Dave Righetti, Baker and general manager Brian Sabean spent time examining their options.

“You can go hard-soft, lefty-righty,” Righetti said, adding that too much time spent analyzing such decisions results in all the choices starting to look bad.

Russ Ortiz was 9-6 on the road during the regular season, but just 5-4 at home.

“The last couple of years, I’ve been able to get over any outside distractions,” he said.

In the first-round series, Russ Ortiz opened for the Giants at Atlanta’s Turner Field, and was followed by Rueter, Schmidt and Hernandez. He also pitched Game 5.

In the league championship series, Rueter pitched the opener at St. Louis, followed by Schmidt, Ortiz and Hernandez, then pitched six shutout innings in Game 5 Monday as the Giants won 2-1 to finish off the Cardinals.

Rueter said pitching at home on the road made no difference to him.

“You pitch half and half during the year, anyway,” he said.

Baker still hadn’t decided if he will make any roster changes before today’s 10 a.m. deadline and said he hasn’t decided on his designated hitter in the AL ballpark.

He opted to hold a workout Thursday starting at 5 p.m., roughly the same time the games will start this weekend.

“You try to get acclimated to the ballpark, the situation, the visuals, how you see the ball at this time,” he said.

NLCS MVP Benito Santiago didn’t mind the late practice on the off-day. He’s just excited to be in the World Series.

“If they put this at 4 in the morning, it would be exciting,” he said.