Phillies Notes: Don't expect a different Phillies lineup in Game 6

Given the stakes in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel wants to keep things as normal as possible.

That likely means a lineup that includes Placido Polanco in the No. 2 spot and Chase Utley in the No. 3 spot.

Manuel moved Polanco to the third spot and Utley to the second spot in Game 2, splitting lefthanders Utley and No. 4 hitter Ryan Howard against San Francisco Giants lefthander Jonathan Sanchez.

But with Sanchez scheduled to start Game 6, Manuel indicated that he's likely to leave his players in their accustomed spots.

"Polanco and Utley hit lefthanders about the same way," Manuel said. "I don't see where it makes a whole lot of difference."

Manuel said he wanted his players to have a normal routine in what looms as the biggest game of the season.

"When you've got regular players like we've got, you start moving guys in the lineup and whether you realize it or not, they get prepared and they're ready to hit in their normal spots," Manuel said.

Manuel also noted that Jimmy Rollins stole two bases in Game 5, indicating that the shortstop's hamstring is close to fully healed.

That seemed to raise the possibility that Manuel might move Rollins back to the leadoff spot and drop Shane Victorino to the No. 6 hole.

"We're creatures of habit and routines play a big part," Manuel said.

Manuel also indicated that the lefthanded Raul Ibanez is likely to be in the lineup against Sanchez.

"I think Raul swung better [Thursday]," Manuel said. "He stayed on the ball."

Manuel said he liked that the Phillies and Giants were talking a little trash with each other in Game 5.

Roy Halladay and the Giants' Pat Burrell were exchanging stares, if not words, and Giants starter Tim Lincecum was barking at Rollins.

"I like that in games," Manuel said. "I like to see my players stand up. Really, that's part of it. That's being competitive."

The Phillies have been hit by pitches six times in the series. Carlos Ruiz was hit by a Lincecum change-up in the middle of the Phillies' decisive, three-run rally in the third inning of Game 5.

"I think he kind of took it," Manuel said of Ruiz. "It's big. I look at it this way: It's like hitting a single."

Manuel wouldn't rule out the possibility of using projected Game 7 starter Cole Hamels in relief in Game 6.

"Depends on where we're at," Manuel said. "Do I want to? No. But at the same time I'm not ruling it out."

Manuel said he didn't think Phillies fans would suffer too much from not knowing until the end of Friday night's Game 6 of the American League Championship Series if Saturday's NLCS Game 6 would be played at 3:57 p.m. or 7:57 p.m.

"The way our fans have been for the last few years around here, I think that they definitely have an idea exactly when we're going to play the game," Manuel said. "I think the quicker you can tell them, the better. That might help me, too."