Phillies-Yankees: World Series Game 6 preview

Yankee Stadium, 7:57 p.m.

TV: Fox29. Radio: WPHT (1210), WUBA (1480), ESPN (97.5-FM, 950-AM)

Weather: Mid to lows 40s, cloudy.

Game Line: Yankees -$200; Phillies +$180. Over/Under: 9 runs.

3 keys for Game 6

1. More of the same from Pedro. Pedro Martinez' outing in Game 2 was all the Phillies could have hoped for: six innings, three runs. Martinez needs to keep Hideki Matsui at bay and limit the damage from Johnny Damon. The rest might be out of his control. Oh: And don't hit A-Rod. Makes him mad.

2. Expect Andy Pettitte to struggle with his command again ... but this time, make him pay. Pettitte admitted that he couldn't locate his offspeed pitches to his liking in Game 3, but time and again, the Phillies let him off the hook, fishing. On 3 days' rest, his command should be worse still.

3. Keep fading soft stuff away to Mark Teixeira and hope that Ryan Howard regains the trust in his unnaturally quick hands that he had from late August through the first two rounds of the playoffs. These two slumping sluggers could be the difference, especially against the bullpens.

Phillies RHP Pedro Martinez

Regular season

2009: 5-1; 3.63 ERA; 9 games/9 starts; 9.67 hits/9 innings; 4.63 strikeouts/walks; 7 home runs; 0-0 vs. Yankees.

Career: 219-100; 2.93 ERA; 476 games/409 starts; 7.07 hits/9 innings; 4.15 strikeouts/walks; 239 home runs; 11-11 vs. Yankees.

Postseason

2009: 0-1; 2.08 ERA; 2 games/2 starts; 5.54 hits/9 innings; 5.50 strikeouts/walks; 2 home runs; 0-1 vs. Yankees.

Career: 6-3; 3.22 ERA; 15 games/13 starts; 6.92 hits/9 innings; 3.25 strikeouts/walks; 9 home runs; 1-3 vs. Yankees.

Last start: Oct. 29 at Yankees (L); 6 IP, 6 H, 3 W, 8 K.

Yankees LHP Andy Pettitte

Regular season

2009: 14-8; 4.16 ERA; 32 games/32 starts; 8.92 hits/9 innings; 1.95 strikeouts/walks; 20 home runs; 0-0 vs. Phillies.

Career: 229-135; 3.91 ERA; 468 games/458 starts; 9.42 hits/9 innings; 2.33 strikeouts/walks; 250 home runs; 2-2 vs. Phillies.

Postseason

2009: 3-0; 3.24 ERA; 4 games/4 starts; 7.92 hits/9 innings; 3.67 strikeouts/walks; 4 home runs; 1-0 vs. Phillies.

Career: 17-9; 3.88 ERA; 39 games/39 starts; 9.51 hits/9 innings; 2.44 strikeouts/walks; 28 home runs; 1-0 vs. Phillies.

Last start: Oct. 31 at Phillies (W); 6 IP, 5 H, 4 W, 7 K.

2009 World Series

Best-of-seven

Yankees lead series, 3-2

Game 1: Phillies 6, Yankees 1

Game 2: Yankees 3, Phillies 1

Game 3: Yankees 8, Phillies 5

Game 4: Yankees 7, Phillies 4

Game 5: Phillies 8, Yankees 6

Game 6: Tonight, 7:57 p.m.

*Game 7: Tomorrow, 7:57 p.m.: Phillies at Yankees

* - if necessary

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