NEW YORK -- By sticking to his guns, Joe Girardi could wind up shooting himself in the foot if his decision to go with a three-man rotation backfires and the Yankees end up losing the Series.

A.J. Burnett imploded in short order on Monday when he started against the Phillies on only three days' rest. Andy Pettitte is scheduled to take the mound in Game 6 on short rest. And if the Yankees don't close out the Series on Wednesday, CC Sabathia will take the mound in Game 7, which would mark his third start in nine days.

The last team to employ only three starters and win a seven-game Series was the 1991 Minnesota Twins.

Girardi's only other option as a fourth starter would be Chad Gaudin. But Gaudin hasn't started since Sept. 28.

Girardi said he'll keep a close eye on Pettitte for any signs of fatigue.

``Fatigue can manifest itself in many ways,'' Girardi said. ``But, to me, if they're really fatigued, you're not going to see the consistency in the velocity.''

NO GUARANTEE IT'S HAMELS

The Yankees aren't the only team in this Series with issues involving their starters. If the Phillies extend the Series to seven games, there's no guarantee that they'll use Cole Hamels, who said of his disappointing season after his Game 3 loss that ``I can't wait for it to end.''

That comment raised more than a few red flags and caused Hamels to backtrack when he spoke to reporters Monday.

``Sometimes I might not say the best things or the smartest things, but I've learned and am learning,'' Hamels said. ``I wasn't able to sleep the past couple of nights because of it.''

If the Series goes to a final Game 7, manager Charlie Manuel could always give the ball to rookie J.A. Happ.

`TWO THUMBS UP'

It's been a tough Series for center fielders.

The Phillies' Shane Victorino was hit in the right hand by a Burnett fastball Monday, injuring his index finger, and eventually was removed from the game.

But he vowed to reporters afterward that he would be ready for Game 6 on Wednesday.

``Two thumbs up,'' Victorino said. ``That's all you need to know.''

But Manuel said the decision to play Victorino would be a game-time decision. If Victorino can't go, Ben Francisco will start in his place.

The Yankees replaced Melky Cabrera on their Series roster because of a hamstring injury he sustained Sunday. Infielder Ramiro Pena took his spot on the roster.

• The mother of Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain pleaded no contest Monday to a felony drug-sale charge and faces up to 20 years in prison, according to the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star.

Jackie Standley, 44, was arrested in May for selling a gram of methamphetamine.

-- CLARK SPENCER

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