Mathis starting to come around.

Jeff Mathis has had what many in the Orange County area would consider a very good week.

And when you say it is Mathis that is having that week it is just all the more impressive.

His ability to handle the everyday catching duties in the wake of Mike Napoli's hamstring injury have been alleviated by the way Mathis has handled the pitching staff in the last week since he assumed the starting job.

Mathis had a four-game hitting streak before Wednesday in which he raised his average from .095 to .250. Mathis also caught the Angels' first consecutive complete games in more than 14 years earlier this week - a feat some would not think possible a month ago when Mathis was still the starting catcher for Salt Lake.

"Jeff's feeling much more comfortable with everything about catching, both his pitch selection and his rapport with the pitchers," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think he's much more confident and comfortable right now, and I think it's translated into him catching good ballgames and it's reflected on some good performances by our pitchers."

Scioscia said Ryan Budde probably would get one start during the four-game series in Oakland that begins tonight. Budde has caught both Mosley and Saunders while in AAA so a start tonight or Friday is a real possibility.