Despite loss, confident Phillies still have plenty working in their favor

Pedro Martinez had a courageous performance in Game 2, but it was enough for the Phillies. Chris McGrath/Getty Images World Series 2009 Game 6 Yanks 7, Phillies 3 | Box Score | SI Photos Posnanski: It was simply the Yanks' year Jenkins: Lack of pitching depth cost Phils Matsui named MVP after 6 RBIs in clincher Jeter, Pettitte, Posada, Rivera win 5th title Phillies' bid for repeat falls short vs. Yanks A-Rod enjoys moment after year of turmoil Steinbrenner wins seventh title as owner SI Photos Game 6 highlights All 27 championships Previous Coverage Select an option Game 5 Utley's homers help Phils force Game 6 Jenkins: Both managers deserve heat Posnanski: Utley's sweet swing delivers SI Photos: Select shots from Game 5 Game 4 A-Rod's late heroics put Yankees on brink Jenkins: Yankees take control of series Posnanski: Damon makes the difference SI Photos: Select shots from Game 4 Game 3 Yankees power past Phillies in Game 3 Verducci: Hamel's gaffe dooms Phillies Keith: Yankees finally break out the bats SI Photos: Select shots from Game 3 Game 2 Yanks chase Pedro, even World Series Verducci: Manuel's key decisions backfire Posnanski: Another great escape for Mo Keith: Even in loss, Pedro grabs spotlight Jenkins: Teixeira, Burnett come up huge SI Photos: Select shots from Game 2 Game 1 Lee, Utley overpower Yankees in opener Posnanski: Cool hand Lee stifles Yankees Jenkins: Utley lets hit bat do the talking Keith: Yankees' bats silenced in opener SI Photos: Select shots from Game 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Reiter: Five reasons the Yankees will win Jenkins: Five reasons the Phillies will win Keith: Position-by-position breakdown Corcoran: Players who need to step up Verducci: East Coast Baseball jinx Jenkins: Historic showdown on tap Heyman: Yankees-Phillies top matchups Podcast: Verducci previews Yanks-Phillies Jon Heyman's Mailbag Got a question or comment for Jon? Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND Follow Jon Heyman on Twitter

NEW YORK -- The fabulous Phillies were unfazed by their Game 2 defeat that left the World Series even. This team does not lack confidence. Star shortstop Jimmy Rollins was asked whether he still believed in his prediction of a five-game Phillies victory after the Yankees' 3-1 Game 2 victory, and Rollins responded, nonchalantly, "If that's what it takes."

Someone else in their clubhouse pointed out that they've lost Game 2 of almost every series they've won, which is true, including World Series Game 2 last year (they won that series in five). There was no panic inside their room, no complaint about the umpires who had an off night again. This is how a great should carry itself.

Rollins said he only makes his predictions when he "feels good about it," and he apparently continues to feel good. His calls have been uncannily good over the years, but he wouldn't say whether he believes he has ESP. ("My mother says my grandmother has it," he did say.)

The Phillies had more than enough going for them to think they never should have been 2-1 underdogs, and still do, including the option to use resourceful Pedro Martinez in Game 6. Here are a few more positive signs for the Phillies ...

• At least one more appearance for Phillies ace Cliff Lee, who seems to have the Yankees spooked. The Yankees caught a break with the announcement Friday that Joe Blanton (0-3 with an 8.10 ERA vs. the Yanks) would start Game 4. There had been much speculation that Lee would start Games 4 and 7, but the 123-pitch outing in Game 1 may have changed things. Still, the Yanks have to face Lee again (likely Game 5, barring rain on Saturday) -- and maybe more than once. Manuel said on Wednesday that Lee would be available out of the bullpen if Game 7 is necessary. And the Yankees rarely have been this impressed by a pitcher. "He was just nasty," stated a Yankees person who said he's now hoping for Yankees in six games, even assuming another Philly win for Lee.

• There is talk in the Yankees' clubhouse now they may have to use journeyman Chad Gaudin in Game 5 or 6 (although that would seem to be a major risk if they're facing elimination). The Yankees did win all six of Gaudin's starts this year, but there's a reason he's a journeyman. In any case, there seems to be some concern now about Andy Pettitte coming back in Game 6 on three days rest, which could mean only one start for Pettitte. "CC and A.J. (Burnett) can do it, but I'm not sure Andy can," one Yankees person said.

• Alex Rodriguez, after an incredible run in the American League playoffs, is headed the other way. He's posted two straight three-strikeout games in the World Series, matching his total of three-whiff games for the rest of 2009. "Alex is going to be fine," one Yankee after another said in the first sign that they're worried. In a version of that, Mark Teixeira said, "I'm going to bet that Alex is going to be fine," before finishing the thought this way: "And if not, then hopefully me or a couple other guys are going to step it up and do what we've done all season." Offensively, A-Rod carried the Yankees through the first two series, and if he slumps in the World Series, they will absolutely need someone else to pick up the slack.

• The Yankees appear now to have little faith in their bridge to Mariano Rivera -- though of course if the starter goes seven innings, like Burnett, Joe Girardi could just press Rivera into two innings service, as he did in Game 2 when Mariano earned his 14th six-out save out of 36 total postseason saves. But Yankees people appear to have lost confidence in Phil Hughes ("He looks frightened, he doesn't look the same," one scout said) to the point where other late-game alternatives -- Joba Chamberlain? Damaso Marte? -- have to be considered as the main bridge.

• Although they won Game 2, the Yankees are showing small signs of desperation, as Girardi went back to the book play and started Jerry Hairston Jr. because he had a few good at-bats vs. Martinez, though none since 2005. Nick Swisher, who was benched, has done almost nothing in the postseason, so it will continue to be a question whether to use Swisher or someone else. (Brett Gardner would be the logical choice in games not started by Pedro.)

Some things never change: Petey as persuasive as ever

Beyond his wide array of pitches, Pedro obviously has the power of persuasion, too. He talked Phillies manager Charlie Manuel into letting him stay in to start the seventh after six very nice innings. Pedro wound up allowing two straight singles to start the seventh, and then was removed, possibly two batters too late, as the Yankees expanded their lead by one to 3-1. "He said he felt good. He said that he was fine," Manuel said. "He said he wanted to go back out and pitch."

Martinez said he hasn't felt quite as strong as usual the past couple days, that he hasn't been eating right, or sleeping much. "But I felt good enough to make pitches, and that's what I told him," Pedro said.

One of Pedro's most famous moments came in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, when he talked Grady Little into letting him remain in a game he and the Red Sox would eventually lose to the Yankees. Knowing Pedro, Manuel shouldn't have asked. He should have just acted.

Sparse winter interest in Pedro made no sense

Only four teams showed even semi-serious interest in Pedro when he was plotting his comeback this summer: the Rangers, Rays and Cubs in addition to the Phillies.

The Brewers were another team that considered going to Pedro's showcase workout. But the Brewers' scout was put off by Martinez's tardiness, so he left without seeing him pitch. If you want someone to be on time, Pedro's not for you. If you want someone to pitch his butt off, then he's the one.

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Good for the Phillies for recognizing what's important. Their scouting seems to be a cut above.

Maybe more teams will join the fray next year, though Pedro suggested this could be it. Asked whether he might retire, Pedro said, "If we win the World Series, I'd suggest you fly to the Dominican and come and ask me. If we don't win it, I'll probably give it another shot."

The guess here is he'll come back. And the guess also is that more teams will show interest in one of the greatest and most cunning pitchers ever.