Phils' season in Pedro's practiced hands

Up to old tricks, vet looking to force Game 7 vs. Yanks

Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com

PHILADELPHIA -- It has come down to this. Pedro Martinez of the Phillies against Andy Pettitte of the Yankees in Game 6 of the World Series on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.

"Two old goats out there doing the best they can and having fun with it," Martinez said at a news conference on Tuesday's off-day.

With the Phils trailing the best-of-seven series 3-2 after defeating the Yanks, 8-6, on Monday night at Citizens Bank Park, Martinez is back where he wants to be: in a must-win situation for his club Wednesday night at 7:57 ET on FOX.

Win and the Phils will live to fight another day in Game 7 on Thursday night. Lose and the Yankees will have their 27th World Series title. It will be his second start at the new Yankee Stadium, but his 18th overall in the Bronx, including the old edifice across the street.

"For us both to still be pitching and then to be able to be pitching in the World Series, I'm sure he feels the same way I do," said Pettitte, whose Yankee tenure was interrupted by a tour with the Astros. "I just feel very blessed, very fortunate to be able to have this opportunity."

Ditto Martinez.

"I look at this situation as a blessing," he said. "I mean, what else would I want? I'm doing the job I love. I'm doing something that not everybody gets to do. If you consider the fact that a few months back I was sitting at home not doing anything -- none of you were thinking of me whatsoever, none of you were asking me questions -- and today I am here, getting ready to pitch in probably one of the biggest games ever in World Series history."

Those are the twists and turns of life. Earlier in the season, Martinez, the former member of the Red Sox, Mets, Expos and Dodgers, was a right-hander without a team. Then on July 15, the Phillies took a chance and signed him as a free agent.