If anyone can do it, Joe Torre can.

That seems to be the sentiment among those who follow and play the game. So when Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield return from what seems like a year-long absence, Torre will have some tough choices. Will he sit Melky Cabrera? Will he sacrifice defense and play Jason Giambi at first everyday? Who will Torre play in right field, Sheffield or Bobby Abreu?

The truth of the matter is, it doesn’t even matter. Whoever the Yankees throw out there seems to perform well, and with the Red Sox finished, Torre has plenty of time to test out his lineup through the remaining days of September.

As a diehard Yankees fan, it seems that Torre’s tinkering is the one bit of excitement to look forward to during the final month of the season. With the NFL starting this week, it’s hard to keep your attention on baseball, at least on Sunday’s, that is. With expanded rosters and games against teams already planning their golf outings in October, the month does not have much to offer. There is no need to check the standings — the Yankees have virtually locked up the AL East.

So my attention has been turned to the AL Wild Card, as the Twins and White Sox are fighting for one spot; not to mention the Tigers’ once-large lead in the AL Central is dwindling. And as a Yankees fan, I can’t decide whom I would rather face in the first round of the post-season.

The defending world champion Chicago White Sox have been marred by inconsistent pitching all season, but the Sox starters are getting hot at the right time. The combination of Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras, Freddy Garcia, Jon Garland and Javier Vazquez has gone 14-2 with a 2.76 ERA in their last 21 starts. Chicago’s offense isn’t too shabby either, second behind the Yanks in runs per game with an average of 5.5.

As for the Twins, they can be one scary team in a short series. When ace rookie Francisco Liriano, his 12-3 record and his 2.19 ERA return from the disabled list, he will form a potent 1-2 punch with starter Johan Santana; we saw how two pitchers can turn a series around when Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson dominated the 2001 World Series against the Bombers. With young studs Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer in the lineup, the Twins have some firepower to contend with. But the Yankees have seemed to own the Twins in the past, so I would be more inclined to face Minnesota than compete with the top-flight starters that the White Sox can throw at you any given day.

Either way, the Yankees should face a challenge when it comes to the first round of the playoffs. Would you choose the veteran team that has already won it all, or the group of kids who know how to win? Whether it’s the White Sox or Twins, the Yankees should be prepared for either opponent. And if anyone can do it, Joe Torre can.