Joe Girardi, understandably, hasn’t been looking too far ahead lately.
That didn’t change last night after the Yankees advanced to the ALCS with a 3-1 triumph over the Orioles in Game 5 of the ALDS.
The Yankees manager is set to have Andy Pettitte pitch Game 1 tonight against the Tigers, but after that, it’s anyone’s guess.
“We have to decide,” Girardi said. “We have got to meet.”
The Yankees are in the midst of five straight games, including tonight and tomorrow, and that could mean rookie David Phelps could pitch tomorrow in Game 2.
Phelps was approached as he walked out of the clubhouse, and had a bewildered look on his face when asked about pitching tomorrow.
“This is the first I’ve heard of it,” Phelps said.
But with Hiroki Kuroda having pitched Wednesday, he would be on short rest for Game 2. And because he threw well when given extra rest, the Yankees figure to let him pitch Game 3 Tuesday.
Phelps gave up a run and took the loss in Game 4 of the ALDS, but thought there was value in at least getting on a mound in a playoff game.
“It was huge,” Phelps said.
His last start was on Oct. 2 against the Red Sox when the Yankees were still fighting for the AL East title, and he gave up two runs in 5 1/3 innings.
“It’s big knowing you had success the last time out,” Phelps said. “My arm feels fine, if it comes to that. I haven’t spoken to Joe yet. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I assume I’m going to be in the bullpen.”
That remains to be seen.
“The year of two wild cards, but there are a lot of things that are a first,” Girardi said of the new playoff format. “No days off between series and having to decide what you are going to do. We’ll sit down and talk [last night], actually. It will be Pettitte [tonight]. That’s all I’ve got for you.”
dan.martin@nypost.com