Emphasizing extra pitching and a power bat to pinch hit, the Yankees will submit a World Series roster that will add Brian Bruney and Eric Hinske and remove Francisco Cervelli and Freddy Guzman, The Post has learned.
The rosters must be submitted by 10 a.m. today, but the Yankees had finalized their decisions well in advance.
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The Yankees decided to include Bruney, which means they will have 12 pitchers to face the Phillies. The Yanks already know that they plan to use CC Sabathia on short rest twice if the Series were to go seven games. But they also have to use Chad Gaudin as a fourth starter or A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte on short rest if the Series goes at least six games.
Because of that, the Yanks figured it would be wise to carry an extra pitcher this round rather than a third catcher, so that eliminates Cervelli.
As for Hinske, the Yankees envision needing a pinch-hitter, especially in the three DH-less games in Philadelphia more than they imagine needing Guzman’s speed. So Hinske, who also was not on the roster for the first two rounds, will be added.
The Yankees still can rely on Brett Gardner as their primary late-inning speed guy, and Jerry Hairston a second pinch-runner.
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George Steinbrenner was slated to arrive in New York last night and is expected to be in his box for tonight’s Game 1.
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Asked whom he would tell Mets fans to root for, Jimmy Rollins said, “Root for the National League, how about that?”
Pedro Martinez was asked for his message to Mets fans: “Keep the faith,” he said. “They’ve got a good team, and things will get better for them.”
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Hideki Matsui hasn’t played the outfield all year because Joe Girardi didn’t want to blow out Matsui’s surgically repaired knees.
However, with a maximum 10 days remaining in the season, the Yankees aren’t ruling out using Matsui in the outfield as part of a double switch when the Series shifts to Philly for Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) when the DH won’t be used.
“There is a possibility, it’s something we will discuss,” Girardi said. “The one thing about Matsui is you see how he is running and you know that you don’t necessarily have to keep him healthy the next two or three months. You have to keep him healthy for about 10 days. It’s something we will have to think about.”
Matsui is batting .233 (7-for-30) with five RBIs in nine postseason games.
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Phillies manager Charlie Manuel added RHP Brett Myers to his roster for the Series, taking infielder Miguel Cairo off so the Phillies could have an extra pitcher. . . . Either Raul Ibanez or Ben Francisco will DH for the Phillies tonight, with the other in left field.
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Mariano Rivera spoke with struggling set-up man Phil Hughes in the Yankees’ bullpen during Game 6 of the ALCS.
“He said basically to just stick with what got us here and don’t try to do too much and be yourself,” said Hughes, who is 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA in six postseason games and has allowed nine hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings.
“It went well. He is a good kid. . . . All I said was just don’t try to change anything,” Rivera said.
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Alex Rodriguez has an 11-game postseason hitting streak going. That is four short of the all-time record shared by Pete Rose and Manny Ramirez.
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Manuel was asked why he’s starting Martinez tomorrow over Cole Hamels.
“I wanted to split my lefties up,” said Manuel, who is sending Cliff Lee to the mound tonight in Game 1. “I felt like Pedro was the ideal guy to go in between them because of what type of pitcher he is, and his command, how he can change speeds, and the fact that he’s been here before.
“I think this is going to be a real big moment for him, and I think, like I said, he’s used to it and he’s done it before, and I think he’s the guy that’s more apt to handle it good. I think this is a perfect setting for him.”— Additional reporting by Bart Hubbuch