For the first time since 2003, the World Series involves a second travel day. There will be plenty of underlying stories to watch when the Phillies and Yankees meet in Game 6:
1. The men in the middle » It’s ironic that a series dominated by stars in their prime — Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Chase Utley, Cliff Lee — will feature a game that hinges on the performances of two seasoned warhorses. A pair of 200-game winners, old foes Andy Pettitte and Pedro Martinez, take the hill Wednesday night. The 37-year-old Pettitte is throwing on three days rest, but that might serve as a sidebar, because nobody works Yankee Stadium into frenzy quite like Martinez.
2. Chase-ing history » After a baby slump (0-for-7) in Games 2 and 3, Utley has caught fire. He was 4-for-7 in Games 4 and 5 with a double and three home runs, giving him five homers in this World Series, tied with Reggie Jackson for the most all-time. If we’re the Yankees, we’re not letting Utley beat us. Slumping slugger Ryan Howard has been flailing on a steady dose of breaking balls all series. He’s 3-for-19 with 12 strikeouts through the first five games.
3. Victory-No » A.J. Burnett‘s high-and-tight-one to Shane Victorino certainly led to Utley’s three-run homer on Monday. But it also turned the Flyin’ Hawaiian into an offensive liability. Victorino popped out once and grounded out twice after being drilled by Burnett. He looked uncomfortable at the plate and in the field, often flexing and shaking his right hand until Charlie Manuel lifted him for Ben Francisco in the top of the eighth. Keep an eye on Victorino. That hand might get worse before it gets better.
4. Manager moves » With the Phillies facing elimination, Martinez will have a short leash, which means Chan Ho Park and Brett Myers will factor into the equation. At this point, Joe Girardi looks like he has quasi-confidence in Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes. A bigger question for both skippers is what they’ll do with a late lead. Does Girardi bring in Mariano Rivera for another six-out save? Does Manuel use Brad Lidge at all? The key for both is not to over-manage the situation.
