MLB: Last Night of 2009 Season?

It is possible that tonight's Game 6 of the World Series will be the final game of the 2009 season...that's if the New York Yankees have anything to say about it. But the Philadelphia Phillies have designs on one more game and send Pedro Martinez (left) to the mound against Andy Pettitte.

What do the Phillies need to do to force a seventh game?

If Charlie Manuel can get 6 strong innings from Pedro, that will be the place to start. He got that type of effort from Martinez in Game 2. Pedro allowed three runs in his six innings of work. Phillies fans cannot ask for much more from Martinez.

The Phillies bats must get to Yankees starter Andy Pettitte early and often. If Pettitte is allowed to get in a groove, tonight could very well be 2009's last game. Getting Pettitte out early could expose the New York bullpen. With the obvious exception of Mariano Rivera, they bullpen is vulnerable.

The next "issue" that Philadelphia must address is the current slump that has grasped Ryan Howard. In 19 at-bats, Howard has 3 hits and only 1 RBI. Of his other 16 at-bats, Howard has 12 strikeouts. For the record, Howard is hitting. 207 agaist lefties. Not a pleasant sight for Howard to see Andy Pettitte on the hill tonight.

Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino (right) says he's good to go for Game 6 despire getting drilled with a pitch on his right hand during Game 5. With the weather being on the cool side for the game (dipping into at least the low 40's), it might be a matter of how long Victorino will be able to stay in the game even though we know he will want to play.

Now, the biggest question for Game 6 if your the Phillies: Who will get the ball in a save situation? We all saw the Brad Lidge of '09 arise during Game 4 by permitting the Yankees to score three runs when there were two outs and no one on base. In Game 5, Ryan Madson got the call (with a three run lead) to close out the game. Madson or Lidge?

Don't even think about who'll start for Philly in Game 7. Got to win Game 6 first.