MLB

Posada sings A-Rod’s praises

Jorge Posada has been in the big leagues for 13 years and has played more games with Derek Jeter than anybody alive.

And yet, the postseason belonging to Alex Rodriguez has elevated the Yankees’ cleanup hitter to the top of Posada’s list.

“Alex is the best player I’ve ever seen. He does a lot of things well. He’s been able to adjust to the pitches that Philadelphia has been doing,” Posada said. “He did the same thing with Minnesota, did the same thing with the Angels. So doing what he’s doing, I’m glad he’s doing it.”

YANKEES BLOG

Rodriguez started his first World Series going 0-for-8 and striking out six times in Games 1 and 2. Since then he is 4-for-10 (.400) with a homer and six RBIs in three games and is a legitimate MVP candidate despite hitting .222 (4-for-18).

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Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino is “day-to-day” after taking an A.J. Burnett pitch off his right index finger in Game 5.

X-rays showed the finger was not broken but it became swollen and sore as the game wore on. Eventually he came out of the game.

Victorino said afterward he would play in Game 6 tonight, but Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he will check with Victorino today before making a decision.

Ben Francisco would start in center if Victorino can’t play.

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With the Series shifting to Yankee Stadium, Hideki Matsui is back in the Yankee lineup. Limited to a pinch-hitting appearances in Games 3, 4 and 5 in Philly when he went 2-for-3, Matsui will assume his familiar No. 5 spot as DH tonight in Game 6 behind Rodriguez.

“Whenever you are in the lineup you are happy to be battling with them and contributing to the team,” said Matsui, who is batting .556 (5-for-9) with two homers and two RBIs.

With the Yankees missing a chance to clinch in Game 5 Monday night in Philly, he was asked if there is a difference when they get a second opportunity tonight.

“The approach hasn’t changed,” Matsui said. “We are still one game away. The difference is we are in New York, and I guess that could be an advantage.”

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If the Series goes to a Game 7 tomorrow night, CC Sabathia will be ready on three days’ rest for the second time this season. To prepare for that possible assignment, the lefty hasn’t thrown in the bullpen since hurling Game 4 Sunday and has limited himself to a pair of flat-ground sessions.

“I’ll be ready on Thursday if they need me,” said Sabathia, who has made two starts against the Phillies without a win and has a 3.29 ERA.

The competitor in Sabathia would like a crack at cooling off Chase Utley, but would gladly trade that for a victory tonight.

“I want to win. He’s had a great Series. He’s a great hitter. And if I get that opportunity, I’ll try to make the best of it. But it’s not my concern, trying to get Chase Utley back,” Sabathia said. “I want to win a World Series, and that’s what I’m here to do.”

While the baseball universe debates the merits of starting on three days’ rest, Sabathia said it’s been over-hyped.

“I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. Given enough rest and being healthy enough, I said it last year, I think anybody would do it in a situation that we’re in,” Sabathia said. “Trying to win a ring. Last year trying to get into the playoffs. If I’m healthy, I’ll take the ball anytime. I think everybody else seems to think it’s a big deal. But it kind of is what it is.”

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Brett Gardner knows the reason he is the starting center fielder is because Melky Cabrera is out with a hamstring injury. That leaves Jerry Hairston Jr., who doesn’t have a lot center-field experience, as Gardner’s replacement.

However, don’t look for Gardner to ease up if he nears a wall like he did in Game 5 Monday night in Philly when he crashed into the fence to make a catch.

“That’s how I play,” said Gardner, who will start tonight against Pedro Martinez. “It’s probably not smart, but that’s how I play. If I was on the mound I would want the guy to try and catch it.”

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Since Burnett threw only 53 pitches in two-plus innings in Game 5, it’s conceivable the right-hander could be available in relief if the Series goes to seven games tomorrow night. And there is a slight chance Joe Girardi would use him tonight.

“Burnett’s normal throw day would be [today], but I am not sure I would use him [tonight],” Girardi said. “But in case of an emergency, you would.”

Since Hairstson started in right in Game 2 against Martinez because Nick Swisher was in a slump and Eric Hinske has good numbers against Martinez, Girardi was asked if he might use one them tonight.

“I won’t do anything out of the ordinary,” said Girardi, who didn’t announce tonight’s lineup.

That likely means Swisher will start in right field.

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Manuel said he is not considering any changes to his lineup despite the struggles of his left-handed hitters against Andy Pettitte in Game 3.

After watching his offense break out in Game 5 against the Yankees, Manuel believes the domination of the pitchers who we saw early in this Series may be over.

“I think offense is starting to pick up actually on both teams the way we’ve been starting to hit the ball,” Manuel said. “I think these next two games could really get interesting.”

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Ryan Howard has 12 strikeouts in the Series, tying the Series record set by Willie Wilson in 1980. Manuel was asked if the Phillies can win the World Series without Howard hitting, “Yes, we can,” Manuel replied. “We can win it easier if he hits.”