By Jim Scott and Mariel Clark
DNAinfo Reporter/Producers
MANHATTAN — The New York Yankees are one win away from their 27th World Series Championship — and Manhattanites are lining the borough's bars and restaurants to cheer them along.
Diehard fans, who had gathered at Mickey Mantle's restaurant on Central Park South by Wednesday afternoon, waited expectantly for the showdown between Andy Pettitte and the Phillies pitcher every Yankee loves to hate, Pedro Martinez.
"I refuse to order a Philly cheesesteak sandwich because I'm very superstitious and I did not want to jinx the Yankees," said David Wallace, who was given tickets to the game by his wife.
If the Yanks take Game 6 in the Bronx Wednesday night, they can be guaranteed a ticker tape parade along the Canyon of Heroes next week.
"We're back at home, we're not in Philadelphia," said Solange Padano, a waitress at Mickey Mantle's. "I think everybody's excited for tonight. Everybody's been looking forward to it.
"I think tonight's the night."
The Yankees will have to get past the 38-year-old Martinez to claim the crown. Martinez pitched well in Game 2 last week, allowing three runs and striking out eight batters in 6 innings of a 3-1 loss to the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
"We love that Pedro is going to be in New York," said Bombers fan Nancy Campbell. "We're ready to take him down like we did last time."
Martinez will be matched up against Pettitte, who will be pitching on three days rest. Pettitte, 37, won Game 3 for New York and holds the major league record with 17 career postseason wins.
"I love Andy Pettitte," said Yankees fan Ben Wallace. "I think Pedro will pitch good too, but Andy Pettitte has the most postseason wins."
Martinez and Pettitte are no strangers to each other. Both pitchers are 3-3 in six head-to-head matchups, all games between the Yankees and Boston Red Sox from 1998-2003. They have never faced off in the postseason.
The Phillies are trying to become the first team to rally from a 3-1 World Series deficit since the 1985 Kansas City Royals. Most Yankees faithful don't seem too worried about a Philadelphia comeback in the series.
"Even if the Phils were going to win tonight," said Campbell. "That they could win twice in New York? No way, no how."
