"Pedro Martinez will let Phillies teammate Jimmy Rollins do all of the talking and prediction-making.

After Rollins went on late-night television and predicted a Phillies World Series victory over the Yankees in five, maybe six games, Martinez wasn't about to jump into the fray yesterday.

"That's Jimmy, and I'm Pedro," said Martinez in Yankee Stadium's Great Hall.

Tuesday, Martinez was confirmed as the Game 2 starter Thursday, which means a return to the stage where he has recorded some of his most memorable pitching moments, even though they occurred across the street at the old Stadium. The atmosphere will be no less electric when the 38-year-old Martinez takes the mound in a Phillies uniform, after years of tormenting the Yankees as a Red Sox and Mets ace.

"I'm probably the player that catches the most attention ever between the fans. You know what? I might be the only player that brings fear to the fans without throwing a pitch," said Martinez. "And thanks to you guys. I have to thank you for that one."

Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel said one reason he picked Martinez for Game 2 was to "split my lefties," meaning Game 1 starter Cliff Lee and Game 3 starter Cole Hamels. But Manuel also cited Martinez's talent and playoff experience as factors.

"The bigger the moment, the bigger the stage, I think the more (Martinez) likes it," said Manuel.

Martinez avoided questions about the Yankees and their potent lineup, and shrewdly deflected anything that looked like it would get him into trouble. "You're trying to get me to say the wrong thing and the next day, I'll be the one to blame," said Martinez, who later high-fived fans waiting outside of the Stadium who were cheering him."