(Sports Network) - The New York Yankees try to advance to the World Series for the first time since 2003 this evening when they attempt to put the finishing touches on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the American League Championship Series.

With a win tonight, the Yankees would advance to the World Series for an unprecedented 40th time in team history, but it would mark their first trip there since falling in six games to the Florida Marlins six years ago.

Should they win tonight, the Yanks will start the World Series next Wednesday at Yankee Stadium against the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies, who put the finishing touches on a second straight NL Pennant on Wednesday, as they knocked off the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York, meanwhile, put the Angels on the brink of elimination on Tuesday behind a dominant performance from CC Sabathia, who threw eight masterful innings on short rest, while Alex Rodriguez homered for a third straight game in the Yankees' 10-1 triumph.

Melky Cabrera had three hits and knocked in four runs, and Johnny Damon belted a two-run homer for the Yankees, who hold a commanding 3-1 lead in the best- of-seven set.

Since the ALCS became a best-of-seven series in 1985, 12 of the 16 teams to take a 3-1 series lead have reached the Fall Classic, with eight of them winning in Game 5.

Starting on three days' rest for the first time in 2009 and for just the sixth time in his career, Sabathia (3-0) allowed five hits, including a homer to Kendry Morales, walked two batters and fanned five.

"I never had any doubt about me being able to perform on this stage and to pitch well late in October," said Sabathia, who retired the final eight batters he faced.. "But it seems like people did. But I feel great. Hopefully I can keep it going."

Through two games of this ALCS, the big southpaw has limited the Angels to a pair of runs in 16 innings. He has three walks and 20 strikeouts thus far in the postseason.

Rodriguez, who went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in and three scored, also has an RBI in eight straight postseason games, tying the major league record held by Lou Gehrig, who accomplished the feat from 1928-32 and Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard, whose streak was stopped in Wednesday's win.

Rodriguez, who has homered in three straight games, already has five homers and 11 RBI in the playoffs this year. He has matched Reggie Jackson for the second-most homers in team history in a single postseason, leaving him one shy of Bernie Williams' 1996 club record.

"He's been as clutch as anybody could have hoped for on their side," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "He's a heck of a player. He's playing his game right now. We're obviously going to have to do a little better job of making some pitches on him."

Hoping to slow Rodriguez down tonight will be righty John Lackey, who suffered the loss in Game 1 of this series. Pitching in less-than-ideal weather conditions, Lackey surrendered four runs (two earned) and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings.

"If I pitch up to my capabilities, I think I'll be OK," Lackey said. "I've had a little bit of success against him (Rodriguez)."

Rodriguez went 1-for-2 against him in Game 1, but entered this series with just nine hits in 51 at-bats against Lackey. However, four of those hits were home runs.

Lackey had been brilliant in his first playoff start at home versus the Red Sox, as he held them to just four hits over 7 1/3 scoreless innings.

New York, meanwhile, will counter with righty A.J. Burnett, who is still searching for his first postseason victory, despite a pair of terrific outings.

Burnett held the Angels to two runs and three hits in 6 1/3 innings in Game 2, but did not factor in the decision of his team's thrilling 13-inning win that night.

The Angels have beaten the Yankees in both of their postseason meetings. Los Angeles got the best of New York in 2002 on its way to a World Series championship, then beat the Yankees again in five games in the 2005 ALDS.

In fact, since 1995, the Angels have been the only AL team to give the Yankees a losing record (68-80, .459) in the regular season.