Angels manager on Josh Hamilton: 'There's nobody on the bench who can potentially do what he can do'

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton is clearly not 100 percent healthy as demonstrated by his 0-for-5 performance in Game 1 of the team's American League Division Series matchup with the Kansas City Royals, but manager Mike Scioscia believes Hamilton still represents his best option in left field.

"Looking at all the alternatives, it's definitely worth playing Josh out now to see where it's going to lead," Scioscia said prior to Game 2. "He's a guy who's a game-changer when he's on. There's nobody on bench who can potentially do what he can do."

In addition to chest, rib, and shoulder injuries, Hamilton hit the wall hard in Game 1 while making a catch. He revealed after the game the crash gave him "a headache" (see stack below) but he's back in the lineup Friday night regardless.

Scioscia has decided to bat Hamilton seventh for a second consecutive night in an attempt to keep the pressure off him as he tries to find his stroke. Hamilton is 0-for-2 with a strikeout in his career vs. Royals starter Yordano Ventura.