CHICAGO (AP) – Standing by his locker with two souvenir champagne bottles on a shelf behind him, A.J. Pierzynski shrugged his shoulders Wednesday and said the chaos he created in the AL championship series is over. Now it’s time for the World Series.

“They say you get what you can handle, and I can handle it just fine,” Pierzynski said as the Chicago White Sox resumed workouts after a two-day break and started to prepare for Saturday’s Series opener.

The White Sox claimed their first pennant since 1959 Sunday by beating the Angels in a five-game ALCS. They will host the first two game of the World Series, beginning on Saturday.

Pierzynski was in the middle of three pivotal plays, the most crucial at the end of Game 2 when he ran to first on a third strike that the plate umpire ruled hit the dirt, was ruled safe and set up the winning ninth-inning run, a victory that evened the series.

“The farther you get in the playoffs, every little move is scrutinized. It’s fine if it is on me, it means it’s not on anyone else,” Pierzynski said. “What happened in the last series is over. It all worked out for us. And the best part is that I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m becoming a villain and I didn’t do anything wrong. I just did my job.”

Who’ll pitch to Pierzynski in Saturday’s opener remained uncertain. Manager Ozzie Guillen said he’d hold off until Thursday to make the announcement although it’ll be either Jose Contreras or Mark Buehrle. More than likely, it will be Contreras.

Contreras, who pitched Chicago’s LCS-record fourth straight complete game in Sunday’s clincher, would be going on five days’ rest. He started the openers of both playoff series so far and is 2-1 in the 2005 postseason. Buehrle, the winner of Game 2 against the Angels, would have 10 days off between starts if he goes Sunday.

“Either way we set the rotation, it’s a lot of guys who are going to have nine days off, 10 days off,” Guillen said. “We have to figure out how to get them less days, but it is impossible.”

If the starters are well rested, the bullpen has been on holiday, throwing just seven pitches in the ALCS, all by Neal Cotts. Some relievers will be throwing simulated games this week to get ready.

“If you’re a weak mental guy, it can get to you,” pitching coach Don Cooper said of the long layoff between outings. “Whether you have two minutes rest or two weeks rest, you’re going to have energy. Control that energy, bring your stuff to the glove and I guarantee we’ll have a real good chance of getting people out.”

General manager Ken Williams said the bullpen will have to be ready because “I have a feeling the relievers will come into play in a big way” in the World Series.

Several thousand available tickets sold out in 18 minutes this week and large newspaper headlines blared Chicago’s return to the World Series for the first time in 46 years.

“I’m still waiting to wake up, it hasn’t sunk in yet,” said leadoff hitter Scott Podsednik, who spent most of his first nine seasons in the minors.

“You never know when you’re going to get a chance to be here again. I’m going to soak it all in and enjoy it while it’s here,” said third baseman Joe Crede, who had two go-ahead hits in two games of the ALCS.

And Williams, who rebuilt the team in the offseason, reminded that getting there was one accomplishment but not the one he’s looking for.

“Right now, we’re still in the grind of it. You’ve got to keep that edge to you. OK, yeah, (it’s) a happy, joyful occasion,” Williams said. “We’re here at the World Series, love it. But what the heck is it going to mean if you don’t win it? I don’t want to go home without that ring.”

Notes: ALCS MVP Paul Konerko missed the workout after returning to Arizona to be with his wife, who is expecting their first child.

AP-ES-10-19-05 1700EDT

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