It's no longer a question of who's going to pitch in the final game - or two - of this World Series. It's a question of can anybody besides Mariano Rivera pitch effectively?

With question marks in both dugouts and bullpens, about the only thing you can forecast with any sense of certainty is that a lot of runs will be put on the board before a new world champion is crowned.

"It's kind of working that way,'' Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said on Tuesday. "The offense is starting to pick up on both teams. I think these next two games could really get interesting.''

So we've reached a Game 6 - the first time a World Series has extended this far since 2003 - Yankees at home and one win away from their 27th title, and what do you know?

It's a pitching match-up for the ages - literally - Pedro Martinez, 38, and Andy Pettitte, 37, each back on the big stage quite possibly for the last time, each embracing the opportunity.

They've done this a few times before, of course - the first 11 years ago.

One is a certain Hall of Famer, arguably the best pitcher of his generation. The other is a Cooperstown possibility, in part due to his postseason successes, as nobody ever has won more playoff games than Pettitte's total of 17.

But it's no secret they're pitching on borrowed time, with only glimpses of past greatness left.

"Two old goats out there, doing the best they can, and having fun with it,'' Martinez said about the Game 6 match-up.

And for both, the amount of rest since their last start is an issue.

Martinez found a way to get through six-plus innings in a Game 2 loss, allowing three runs and six hits while striking out eight - velocity replaced by command and a devastating changeup.

"I look at this situation as a blessing,'' Martinez said. "I mean, what else would I want? Two months back, I was at home not doing anything. None of you were thinking of me. None of you were asking me questions. And today, here I am.''