You have to hope that the World Series is extended to game seven, because the pitching storyline of this series has been
compelling, and game seven promises to be the most dramatic decision yet.

Yankee manager Joe Girardi has been criticized for pitching A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte on just three days rest.
Burnette was rocked by the Phillies in Tuesday night's 8-6 win, keeping Philadelphia in the series, down 3-2 to New York. If the
Phillies want to win game six, they need to get to Pettitte early and knock him out. They had a chance to do that in game
three and, after scoring three runs early, failed to do so and gave him a chance to settle back in. You have got to jump on
Pettitte if you get him on the ropes.

Of course, it will be fascinating Wednesday night to watch the Phillies game six starter, Pedro Martinez, take the mound
again. I like Pedro to turn in another solid performance like he did in game three in the 3-1 loss to Burnette.

That bring us to game seven, and Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel's decision. He can't put Cole Hamels out on the
mound again for that start. Hamels is a wreck, and this has nothing to do with his reported comments about wishing the
season was over after getting shelled in game four. He had that lost look in his eyes before then. Manuel has to put the ball in
the hands of rookie J.A. Happ and hope he can survive a few innings.

I still like the Phillies in seven games.

Radio

Listen to "The Sports Fix," co-hosted by me and Kevin Sheehan, from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on ESPN 980
and espn980.com

For more information about Thom Loverro, go to www.thomloverro.com

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