PHILADELPHIA — It’s a good thing Andy Pettitte owns the most postseason victories in major league history. Otherwise, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel probably wouldn’t even know Pettitte’s name.
Manuel certainly didn’t extend many accolades toward the left-hander yesterday when he was asked about the Phillies facing Pettitte tonight in Game 3 of the World Series.
“Andy Pettitte, he’s a lot like anybody else who ages — his stuff is kind of starting to dwindle down,” Manuel said.
“I’ve seen him pitch on TV a lot, and I’ve definitely seen him pitch against our Cleveland team,” the former Indians manager added. “We used to have some pretty good success against him, and I think we are ready for him.”
Ouch!
That doesn’t sound like the respect due for someone who won 14 games in the regular season and is 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA in three starts this postseason. That includes the gem Pettitte pitched on Sunday at the Stadium, when he allowed one run over 61/3 innings to help the Yankees clinch the pennant with a 5-2 victory over the Angels in Game 6 of the ALCS.
Manuel might want to consult his former Cleveland ace CC Sabathia before getting too confident about the Phillies’ chances against Pettitte.
“We wouldn’t be here [without Pettitte],” Sabathia said. “It’s a blessing to have him here.”
Manuel, meanwhile, made it sound as if Pettitte almost has to be perfect to handle the Phillies.
“He has to be a pitcher,” Manuel said. “I’ve seen him pitch his whole career. When he’s living out on the corners and his command is good and he uses his pitches, he’s capable of pitching well.
“I think he has to be that way to be real successful in the game. Our best way of approaching him [is] just takes what he gives us and hit the ball where it’s pitched and we’ll be OK.”
Pettitte, who won his 16th career postseason game Sunday to move ahead of John Smoltz on the all-time list, will be making his first World Series start for the Yankees since Game 6 in 2003, when Josh Beckett and the Marlins celebrated a world championship on Yankee Stadium turf.
Not that it was Pettitte’s fault: He allowed one earned run over seven innings on a night Beckett fired a complete-game shutout.
Pettitte got back to the World Series two years later with the Astros and received a no-decision in Game 2 against the White Sox, allowing two earned runs over six innings. For his career, Pettitte is 3-4 with a 3.82 ERA in the World Series.
“I’m proud — proud of these guys and proud of this team,” Pettitte said. “It isn’t easy to do in New York. Just like I’m sure these guys here in Philly know, it’s not easy to do here. We all feel good about what we’ve been able to do.”
mpuma@nypost.com