Of all the dreary images found in the Yankee clubhouse Sunday night -- Derek Jeter numbly trying to explain why the Bombers are hitting only .102 in the World Series, or Andy Pettitte admitting the cut-fastball he served up to Matt Williams for a three-run home run in Game 2, "left a sick feeling in my stomach" -- there was a conspicuous missing link to tonight's Game 3.

	Tonight's lineups
	Arizona Diamondbacks 2B -- Craig Counsell CF -- Steve Finley LF -- Luis Gonzalez RF -- Reggie Sanders DH -- Erubiel Durazo 3B -- Matt Williams 1B -- Mark Grace C -- Damian Miller SS -- Tony Womack New York Yankees DH -- Chuck Knoblauch SS -- Derek Jeter RF -- Paul O'Neill CF -- Bernie Williams 1B -- Tino Martinez C -- Jorge Posada LF -- Shane Spencer 3B -- Scott Brosius 2B -- Alfonso Soriano

Roger Clemens.

The Rocket had long since left Phoenix by the time Randy Johnson finished his complete-game, 11-strikeout classic, a 4-0 shutout. The Rocket flew home ahead of his teammates, enjoying a full night's rest before the most important start of his Yankee career.

This is bigger than Game 3 of the AL Championship Series, when the Yankees already had a 2-0 series lead against the Mariners. And there's even more pressure now than in the deciding Game 5 of the Division Series against the A's, when Clemens outdueled Mark Mulder.

Why? Because the Yankees now represent the American League in baseball's most prestigious event and Clemens is practically their last line of defense against the surprising Diamondbacks. No one in the Bronx has to be reminded of the win-or-else backdrop -- certainly not after losing Games 1 and 2.

In fact, after scoring just one run in 18 innings against Johnson and Curt Schilling, the Yankees are bluntly calling on Clemens to rescue them.

"There's no question we need Rocket to come up big," said Paul O'Neill. "He's been big for us all year, just like Mike (Mussina) has. We have to match (the Diamondbacks) because they're hungry for it."

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman admitted, "a lot of what we do is resting on Roger's shoulders right now," which is why the club didn't hesitate to give Clemens the day off Sunday for the early flight.

The Bombers are well aware how poorly Mulder pitched against them in Game 5 of the Division Series, allowing four runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings -- this, after choosing not to fly to New York ahead of his teammates after the Yankees won Game 4.

Instead, Mulder made the all-night flight from Oakland to New York with everyone else, arriving at the A's mid-town hotel at 3 a.m. A's officials are no doubt still wondering how much better might Mulder have pitched if he wasn't jet-lagged.

Don't underestimate the cumulative effect of October's air travel, particularly on the 39-year-old Clemens, who, like the rest of the Yankees during this postseason, has flown coast-to-coast six times since Oct. 5.

	Roger Clemens Starting Pitcher New York Yankees Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM W L Sv K ERA 33 20 3 0 213 3.51

Of course, what the Yankees can't know for sure is how effectively Clemens deals with a strained right hamstring tonight.

Actually, club officials have no realistic expectation that the Rocket can regain 100 percent mobility anytime before spring training -- the thickly-muscled Clemens will need months, not days, for a full recovery -- but they're hopeful Clemens can at least outpitch Brian Anderson for five to six innings.

If nothing else, Clemens will have all the Stadium's energy and adrenaline in his favor: There will be an emotional pregame ceremony, the continuing, uplifting presence of Mayor Rudy Giuliani and even Challenger, the bald eagle whose flight to the pitching mound has become one of George Steinbrenner's favorite good luck charms.

But even those extra perks won't guarantee a win for Clemens. Ever since he joined the Yankees in 1999, he's produced a mixed-bag of October pitching performances -- either very good, or utterly forgettable.

Before 2001, the Rocket had made eight postseason starts in pinstripes: four were brilliant (one earned run in 31 2/3 innings) and four belonged in the recycling bin (17 earned runs in 17 1/3 innings).

No wonder the Yankees are speaking of Game 3 as a crossroads, not just for Clemens, but for the entire franchise. As David Justice said, "we need Roger, but we have to help him, too. We have to support him with offense."

Can they? If the Yankees are finally taken down after three consecutive world championships, it'll be because they simply couldn't stand up to Johnson and Schilling.

The Yankees openly admitted they'd never seen such back-to-back displays of power pitching in the American League this year -- not even in the Division Series, when Mulder and Tim Hudson beat them in the first two games.

Referring to Johnson, Derek Jeter -- who is hitless in eight at-bats in the Series -- said, "The thing about Johnson is, we knew what he was going to do against us, and we still couldn't do anything about it, that's how good he was.

"We just ran into two very hot pitchers, and when that happens, all you can do it tip your cap to them and try to win (tonight)."

A strong first inning from Clemens will help. It'll help a lot. To stand before a soldout Stadium crowd, take a deep breath and overpower the Diamondbacks will be as important symbolically as it is strategically to the Yankees.

Until that moment, though, the Bombers look to the Rocket with a single, anxious question. Actually, it borders on a naked plea:

Can you help?

Bob Klapisch of The Record (Bergen County, N.J.) covers baseball for ESPN.com.