Joe Blanton walked into Citizens Bank Park on Friday and got some news from manager Charlie Manuel . For the second year in a row, he's starting Game 4 of the World Series for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Manuel decided Game 1 winner Cliff Lee will pitch Game 5 on a full four days' rest Monday. If he pitched on Sunday, Lee would have been starting on short rest for the first time during his major league career.

"I think you're taking a chance on really pushing him," Manuel said. "Definitely we don't want to hurt him."

Blanton started Game 4 against Tampa Bay last year and combined with four relievers on a five-hitter in a 10-2 win that gave the Phillies a 3-1 Series lead. Blanton homered off Edwin Jackson in that one, the first Series home run by a pitcher since Oakland's Ken Holtzman in 1974.

UNION HONORS: Detroit center fielder Curtis Granderson was voted Marvin Miller Man of the Year on Friday by the Major League Baseball Players Association. The award goes annually to a player whose on-and-off-field performance inspires others.

Granderson established the Grand Kids Foundation last year, which focuses on improving education and youth baseball for inner city kids.

St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols was voted player of the year.

BLUE JAYS: Manager Cito Gaston has signed a four-year consulting contract with the team that will begin when his managerial deal expires at the end of the 2010 season.

Gaston is expected to advise the team in all areas, including spring training, minor league operations and scouting.

GIANTS: Freddy Sanchez signed a two-year contract extension.

He hit .293 with seven home runs and 41 RBI in 111 games for Pittsburgh and San Francisco this season.

ASTROS: Houston hired Brad Arnsberg as its pitching coach, promoted Al Pedrique to bench coach and added Bobby Meacham as its first-base coach.

The team also declined the 2010 option on right-handed relief pitcher Doug Brocail and re-signed third baseman Geoff Blum to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.