The Yankees have two chances to win the World Series in the Bronx starting with game six Wednesday night. Andy Pettitte takes the mound for the Yankees on three days rest against long-time Bronx nemesis Pedro Martinez. The Yankees have played seven home games this postseason and have lost only once. That was game one of the World Series. In game two of the World Series, facing Pedro, the Yankees got an outstanding pitching performance by AJ Burnett and beat the Phillies 3-1. In game three, Pettitte gave up four runs on five hits in six innings but gave up two solo home runs to Jason Werth.

Where does the momentum lay heading into game six? Do the Phillies have it after holding off a Yankees late inning rally and hitting the ball hard in game five? Do the Yankees have it now that they’ll be playing in front of their home crowd and have the postseason’s all-time winningest pitcher on the mound for game six followed by CC Sabathia in game seven if necessary?

The advantage has to be for the Yankees. Obviously the Yankees need just one more win and the Phillies need to win both games at Yankees Stadium. The starting pitchers in games six and seven favor the Yankees. So does the fact that they’re playing at home. Pedro pitching on four days rest compares to Pettitte pitching on three days rest because Pedro has been pitching over long layovers. Sabathia has to be heavily favored over anybody the Phillies put out there in game seven. The Yankees lineup goes back to full strength having a DH at home Posada behind the plate.

The nerves of Yankees fans have never been the same after 2004. They’ll never take any series lead for granted. Fans can’t help but be a little nervous about Pettitte pitching on short rest after he told some players he didn’t have much left in the tank game three. The Pettitte-Pedro matchup should be a good one but not a pitchers duel.

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