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New York Yankees' CC Sabathia stretches during a practice session for the Major League Baseball World Series Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
PHILADELPHIA -- CC Sabathia actually likes starting on three days` rest.

"I hate to throw bullpens," the New York Yankees big man said. "I don`t have to throw a bullpen when I pitch on three days` rest."

Sabathia will throw on short rest for the second time this postseason when he starts Game 4 of the World Series on tonight against Philadelphia`s Joe Blanton.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before Game 3 on Saturday night that it`s possible A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte could also come back on short rest, leaving New York with a three-man rotation. Sabathia would pitch a possible Game 7.

"It feels good for them to have confidence in you, especially in these situations," Sabathia said. "It gives you confidence when your team has confidence and the guys want you out there and everybody is asking: 'Are you pitching today?` and 'Are you pitching tomorrow?'"

Sabathia lost to Cliff Lee in the opener and is 3-1 with a 1.52 ERA in four postseason starts for the Yankees. Last year, he lost Game 3 of the division series for Milwaukee at Citizens Bank Park, allowing five runs and six hits in 32/3 innings. It was his fourth straight start on short rest.

Swish

Slumping Nick Swisher was back in the starting lineup and in right field for the Yankees for Game 3.

Swisher was replaced in Game 2 by Jerry Hairston Jr., a move that paid off when Hairston started a seventh-inning rally in a 3-1 win. Hairston was a .370 career hitter against Phillies Game 2 starter Pedro Martinez.

Manager Joe Girardi said it was an easy decision to start Swisher.

"Swish has been our right fielder all year long," Girardi said.

Flu out

Phillies utility man Greg Dobbs returned from a bout with the flu and was available to pinch hit in Game 3.

Trick or repeat

The Phillies had already won the World Series at this point last season and spent Oct. 31 celebrating with a championship parade through downtown Philadelphia. It was the city`s first major sports championship in 25 years.

Fans spent this Halloween at the ballpark dressed for the occasion. One group of fans wore goblin masks with their Yankees hats. One Phillies fan held a sign that read, "Who needs ghosts? We`ve got bats." Another said, "Trick or treat, let`s repeat."