Both managers face key decisions this weekend
NEW YORK — There were unopened boxes of champagne outside the Yankees' clubhouse Thursday night, where the mood inside was far from bubbly.
It was quiet. But it wasn't a total downer.
"You know what? I thought we battled — even toward the end. We're going back home, and that's the beauty of this," said Jorge Posada, as the Yankees quickly tossed on coats and ties for the flight back to New York.
The Angels' 7-6 victory in a bumpy, back-and-forth Game 5 at Anaheim hadn't just forced the AL Championship Series back to the Bronx; it mandated that the Yankees offer their best look-on-the-bright-side reactions.
With a three games to two lead in the best-of-seven, "We feel really good about ourselves," Mark Teixeira said. "We're not overconfident, because we know that team is going to be ready to go (Saturday night).
"So we'll have to play well, and hope for the best."
But if Saturday night's Game 6 at Yankee Stadium is rained out, would manager Joe Girardi save his best for last?
Andy Pettitte is set to oppose Angels lefty Joe Saunders Saturday night, with CC Sabathia standing by on regular rest for a possible Game 7 on Sunday night.
However, the dicey forecast might provide Girardi with an interesting option.
If Saturday night's game is a washout and is made up on Sunday, Girardi could skip Pettitte and start Sabathia already with two dominant wins in this ALCS in Game 6.
Asked Friday if the Yankees had discussed that possibility, Girardi replied: "No, we haven't. We plan on Andy starting our next game for us. I've heard reports that we're going to get (Saturday night's) game in.
"And I've heard other reports. It seems like we were just doing this about five or six days ago. So we're planning on playing (Saturday night) and Andy is pitching."
Of course, another start by Sabathia would prevent him from starting the World Series opener Wednesday night against the well-rested Phillies — boosting the argument for keeping Sabathia as a last resort in this ALCS.
But if the Angels were to extend the series to a Game 7 on Monday, manager Mike Scioscia could ask John Lackey to start on short rest.
Scioscia reluctantly had taken the ball from his ace in Game 5, and paid for it when the Yankees instantly rallied for six runs in Thursday's seventh inning — only to have their own bullpen give back the lead in the bottom half.
Two of those runs were inherited from starter A.J. Burnett.
To the Yankees, all that fades when compared to their 4-0 postseason record at home.
"You know there's going to be a lot of energy in the ballpark," Pettitte said.
"You just hope you can control yourself (and) make quality pitches throughout the game.
"Hopefully, we'll be able to wrap this thing up (Saturday night)."
