Phillies have two reasons to win Game 3

PHILADELPHIA -- With the World Series tied at a game apiece as it moves from New York to Philadelphia for Game 3 Saturday night, the Phillies are counting on a couple of factors to give them the home-field advantage.

For starters, the loss of the designated hitter in the National League ballpark will cost the Yankees one of their big bats. And the vocal Philadelphia crowd has unnerved opponents before, helping the Phillies win 11 of their last 12 postseason games at home.

“Our club is not necessarily built to come into this ballpark,” Yankee manager Joe Girardi said before his team’s workout Friday at Citizens Bank Park.

Girardi said he was considering using designated hitter Hideki Matsui in the outfield tonight, which could mean benching left fielder Johnny Damon. But he’s not sure Matsui’s balky legs could handle that.

“As productive as he’s been for us this year, you don’t want to lose his bat,” Girardi said of Matsui, who hasn’t played in the field all season.

As for the crowd, Girardi said he was able to block that noise out when he was a player and he believes his team will be able to do the same. But the Phillies aren’t so sure.

“They’re the best fans I’ve ever been around,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “I like the energy that our fans bring to the ballpark. When we’re down, our fans are still making enough noise and everything to keep us going.”

Added outfielder Raul Ibanez: “It’s nice to have 47,000 screaming people rooting for you. It’s a 1-1 series right now. It’s back to even. You get an opportunity to play at home, which is what you want to do.

“Of course you’ve got to go out there and try to get the job done.”          (AP)