A.J. Burnett's strong seven innings in the Yankees' Game 2 victory allowed the Phillies to take a similar approach to what New York was saying after Cliff Lee's complete game won the opener.

"It's a lot tougher when you leave a lot of runners on, when you feel like you missed opportunities," said Phillies designated hitter Matt Stairs, who drove in his team's only run Thursday but also ended the game by striking out as the potential tying run against closer Mariano Rivera. "There just haven't been many opportunities in these games."

"We were talking about it last night," said Yankees right fielder Jerry Hairston, who had a hit to set up a run. "They just beat us (in Game 1). But we didn't want to go down 0-2."

The Yankees had to have Game 2 — unless they were counting on a repeat of 1996, when they lost games 1 and 2 at home to the Atlanta Braves and came back to win the next four.

In the end it's a split and, as Stairs said, opportunities are at a premium. And that's exactly why both managers have reasons to lose sleep over the next few days.

For Yankees manager Joe Girardi, it's first and foremost about whom he trusts in his bullpen. Rivera threw 39 pitches and produced his second two-inning save in the team's past three games. Girardi had the luxury of today's travel day to play with when he went directly from Burnett to Rivera on Thursday, and he had a rested Rivera coming into the Game 6 American League Championship Series appearance against the Los Angeles Angels, but is he tempting fate?

He suddenly has gone from making move after move with his bullpen to avoiding his setup men, especially after four of the five he used in Game 1 were not effective. Girardi continues to claim confidence in his entire bullpen, but he's certainly not shy about his closer. "Mo (Rivera) has been doing it for a long time," Girardi said.

The Phillies had one of those rare opportunities in Rivera's first inning, the eighth. But Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel disdained a running game that has been efficient all season, even when he had his two best basestealers —Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino— on first and second with one out.

With a full count on Chase Utley, Manuel didn't send the runners, and Utley grounded to second and into an inning-ending double play.

Both managers face decisions about using starting pitchers on short rest. Manuel hasn't named a starter beyond Cole Hamels in Game 3. Hamels is in that role because he's been inconsistent, and the Phillies hope he'll be more comfortable at home. Hamels is matched up with playoff veteran Andy Pettitte. After that, it gets interesting.

Manuel could opt for Lee next, on three days' rest, or Joe Blanton. That decision could hinge on the result of Saturday's game.

For the Yankees, it's been assumed Game 1 loser CC Sabathia would come back in Game 4, as he did in the ALCS, but Girardi hasn't tipped his hand there, either. Chad Gaudin would be the other option, and Thursday's victory gives Girardi a little more room for thought. Should Sabathia pitch Game 4, Burnett also could go on short rest in Game 5. He threw 108 pitches Thursday, and removing him at that point for Rivera could make it easier for Girardi to go with the short-rest start if he feels it's necessary.

Enlarge By Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Shane Victorino slides into Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who finished the eighth-inning double play, killing a potential rally.