Florida plans to send RHP Josh Beckett back to the mound for Game 6, having him pitch on three days rest. I can't say I approve of the decision. While Beckett experienced some success pitching on short rest in relief in Game 7 of the NLCS, the practice normally leads to sub-par performances. I won't be surprised if Beckett makes it through five strong innings, but he'll almost certainly tire early, LHP Barry Zito style.

Meanwhile, the Yankees have a fully rested LHP Andy Pettitte pitching Game 6 with a fully rested RHP Mike Mussina waiting for Game 7. Given the current plan, Beckett likely will either give up a big inning to the Yankees or have to hand the game over to the bullpen early, and New York has done quite well against the Florida pen. Pettitte isn't likely to hand the Marlins a big lead, so that means the series will head to Game 7 anyway. Having used Beckett in Game 6, the Marlins then will rely on RHP Carl Pavano to hold the Yankee offense at bay on short rest with Mussina making life difficult for the Florida hitters.

While I don't believe the Marlins should concede Game 6, they are not in a must win situation. Therefore, Florida can afford to hold Beckett for a possible Game 7 when he would be fully rested and prepared to hold the Yankee offense down while the Marlins try to squeeze a run against Mussina. Pitching Beckett now weakens their chances at winning the series.

1B-L Jason Giambi plans to undergo diagnostic arthroscopic surgery on his left knee when the season ends. He's suffering from an inflamed tendon in his left knee and chronic patella tendinitis. With the series moving back to Yankee Stadium, Giambi can settle in at DH and not worry about playing the field. However, while he demonstrated in Game 5 that his knee problem hasn't eliminated his home run power, the injury still causes concerns. Planting his weight on that leg will be painful, which should reduce his effectiveness at the plate. Additionally, when he's not hitting the ball out of the park, running the bases will be difficult. Consequently, the Yankees may find him unavailable late in the game after he's been pulled for a pinch-runner.

I didn't like pulling 2B-R Alfonso Soriano from the Game 5 lineup, so I definitely believe he should be back for Game 6. Torre has not yet announced his intentions on that score, but I believe we will see him return to the starting lineup.

LHP David Wells short outing in Game 5 means his arm will be ready to pitch in relief. Therefore, the health of his back will determine his availability. AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum quotes Yankee Manager Joe Torre as saying, "Wells was trying to navigate from the bus to the parking lot with a suitcase. It wasn't very pretty." While the point of the statement was to indicate Wells still appeared to be having back problems, I want to know why someone wasn't carrying his suitcase. New York shouldn't require a lot of extra relief options with Pettitte and Mussina starting, but precautions should still be taken. You never know when having Wells available for an inning or more might be really useful. I can't imagine lugging a suitcase around is a recommended treatment for back spasms.

The travel day should mean both pens are fully rested, making almost everyone available tonight. Torre reportedly doesn't plan to consider using RHP Roger Clemens in Game 6, but he might be available for Game 7. Mussina shouldn't pitch tonight unless everyone else has been used, and I don't expect to see Pavano or RHP Brad Penny.

Both teams should let their catchers worry about baserunners, while their pitchers focus on the batter at the plate. Each side has run into trouble during the series when their pitchers began to think about making pick-off throws instead of pitches. Speed can move men into scoring position, but the runners aren't likely to come home if the guy at the plate strikes out.

The weather will change with the venue. Game time temperatures should be at least 30 degrees lower, dropping from the low 80's to the low 50's. However, rain could be a factor again. Tonight looks clear, but showers are in the forecast for New York on Sunday when Game 7 would take place.

In addition to fighting for their World Series rings, several players will be working toward individual achievements during these games. OF-R Jeff Conine needs only four hits to set a new record for hits in a single post-season. OF-L Darin Erstad(2002) and OF-R Marquis Grissom(1995) currently hold the record with 25. A victory tonight will give Andy Pettitte 14 wins over his post-season career, moving him ahead of RHP John Smoltz for the major league record. OF-S Bernie Williams broke the career post-season home run record in Game 3 of the World Series when he hit his 19th, but many consider the record tainted due to the additional rounds now played in the playoffs. Adding a few more dingers to his World Series total might help sooth his critics.