NEW YORK -- The sixth game of the American League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees was postponed because of rain yesterday.

The game was rescheduled for 8:20 p.m. today at Yankee Stadium.

New York leads the best-of-seven series, 3-2, and needs one victory to clinch its 40th AL pennant and reach the World Series for the first time since 2003. Game 7, if necessary, will be 7:57 p.m. tomorrow in New York.

"The one thing is, you don't want to stop and start, and we don't know when the rain is going to get out of here," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I respect the decision that they made. I'm sure both clubs would have liked to have played, but the weather's not permitting it."

If the Angels can push the series to a seventh game, the rainout could benefit them. No. 1 starter John Lackey, who took a shutout into the seventh inning in Game 5, could be available to pitch on three days of rest.

"We have some more options and obviously we'll know better after tomorrow," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think it benefits both teams certainly in resetting the bullpens."

Rain had been falling off and on in New York since Friday night. A steady drizzle, with occasional spurts of heavy downpour, kept the tarp on the field all afternoon. The game was called by Major League Baseball nearly two hours before the scheduled first pitch of 7:57 p.m.

Joe Saunders had been slated to start for Los Angeles against fellow left-hander Andy Pettitte, looking to set two major league records. Pettitte owns four series-clinching wins among his 15 career postseason victories -- both tied for the most in baseball history.

Girardi said the Yankees will stay with Pettitte tonight rather than switch to ace CC Sabathia, who would be on regular rest.

Sabathia, 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA in three playoff outings this year, would start Game 7 if needed. If not, he could pitch the World Series opener Wednesday night at home against Philadelphia. Sabathia tossed eight strong innings on three days of rest in a 10-1 victory against the Angels Tuesday.

"I never thought that they would skip me," Pettitte said.

And Girardi never considered it.

"Andy has pitched in a ton of big, big games in his career. We just like him in this spot. We're not looking ahead. I don't think you can afford to look ahead," Girardi said. "We're going to stick with Andy and give CC an extra day. ... The extra day we think could physically help him."

Because of first-round sweeps and the off days built into the playoff schedule, the Angels and Yankees each have played eight games in 20 days since the regular season ended Oct. 4.

"I think that's the wrong template for baseball," Scioscia said.

Saunders, however, didn't sound bothered by the rainout.

"Come tomorrow, game on. Turn the switch on again," he said.

Even after the announcement, several Angels played catch in the outfield. Jered Weaver said all the Los Angeles pitchers were able to conduct their regular workouts.

Weaver pitched in relief in Game 5. He would be slated to start Game 7 if the Angels don't switch to Lackey.

"That's our horse. He has a little bit more experience in these situations," Weaver said. "I'm here to do whatever they need."

Lackey didn't want to look that far ahead.

"I've been working out and watching football," he said. "We've got to win tomorrow."

A.J. Burnett, who started Thursday night for New York, deliberately skipped his side session yesterday so he could be available out of the bullpen in Game 6 and possibly Game 7.

The gates opened at Yankee Stadium about an hour before Game 6 was postponed. Fans holding tickets for yesterday must use them tonight.

"Maybe the extra day helps us more. I'm not really sure. I'm sure there will be a lot written about it," Girardi said. "We've had a lot of rain in New York this year. So we've been through this a lot."

Angels outfielder Torii Hunter was caught off guard, though. He packed for a short stay in the Big Apple.

"I've got to go find a shirt," he said.

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