NEW YORK — Andy Pettitte leaned forward in his chair and recounted a recent chat he had with Derek Jeter as soon as they realized what was next in this World Series.

Pettitte vs. old foe Pedro Martinez, with the Yankees one win from ecstasy.

Still chasing that elusive 27th championship, New York turns to Pettitte once again in Game 6 tonight, hoping he can pitch his team past the Philadelphia Phillies on three days' rest.

"Me and Derek were talking about it in the clubhouse last night. Just, how strange is this?" Pettitte said yesterday. "I think everybody knew it was going to be a great Series. I think everybody knew it was going to be a tough Series. And it looks like it's living up to that."

After wasting a chance to wrap things up in Game 5 at Philadelphia, the Yankees set their sights on clinching at home. They'd love to christen their $1.5 billion ballpark with a World Series crown in its first season.

They've got two chances to do it. Game 7 would be tomorrow night in the Bronx if necessary, with ace CC Sabathia pitching for New York — also on short rest.

"People expect us to be great all the time. We just need to be great tomorrow night," Johnny Damon said.

Coming off an 8-6 victory Monday night that trimmed their Series deficit to 3-2, the defending champion Phillies took the train to New York yesterday afternoon, a ride that takes a little more than an hour. They chose not to work out at Yankee Stadium, but their opponents did.

Martinez and Charlie Manuel showed up at the ballpark for news conferences. Manuel was uncertain whether All-Star center fielder Shane Victorino would be able to play in Game 6 after getting hit in the right hand with A.J. Burnett's 95 mph fastball Monday night.

If the St. Anthony alum from Maui can't go, Ben Francisco would likely start.

Riding Chase Utley's homers, the Phillies are trying to become the first team to rally from a 3-1 World Series deficit since the 1985 Kansas City Royals.