By not having to go to a decisive seventh game, they will be able to have ALCS MVP CC Sabathia start Wednesday night, setting up at least the possibility that the lefthander could pitch three times before commissioner Bud Selig smiles into the cameras and hands over the big, shiny trophy.
(And, by the way, wonder what the mood will be like in Cleveland when a pair of pitchers traded by the Indians at the last two deadlines, Sabathia and the Phillies' Cliff Lee, face off in Game 1?)
It means that the Yankees earned an extra day of rest before the final push.
And it means they won't have to spend all of today listening to questions about whether they might possibly be in the process of blowing a lead of three games to one.
"The Phillies are tough," said Yankees senior managing partner Hal Steinbrenner. "We're worried. We're concerned. We're concerned about everybody. But we're every bit as good and we'll give them a run for their money."
Added leftfielder Johnny Damon: "We want four more wins and I feel very good about our chances. But the Phillies are a tough team. They beat us two out of three [earlier this season]."
The Angels are a good team, although they didn't always play like it in the ALCS. And when you get to the World Series, you aren't going to get persnickety about who your opponent is. You're just happy to be there yourself.
Still, there's no doubt that playing the Yankees adds a little spice to the proceedings.
(And, by the way, wonder what the mood will be in Queens, where Mets fans have to decide whether to root for the division-rival Phillies or the hated crosstown-rival Yankees?)
