The Post’s Steve Serby chatted with the Yankees’ 30-year-old ace lefty. For more of this interview, go to nypost.com.

Q: Red Sox the team to beat?

A: I would always say the Yankees. That’s just me.

Q: A lot of people think it’s the Red Sox.

A: I love the fact nobody’s talking about us. We’re gonna be better than a lot of people predict.

Q: What have you observed about Alex Rodriguez so far?

A: Every time I see him put the ball in play, it’s been squared up pretty good and hit hard. I think he’s gonna have a big year.

Q: Derek Jeter?

A: Jete’s Jete, man. I think everybody’s making too big a deal about him tweaking with his swing a little bit. I think he’ll be ready.

Q: The pressure of being the ace?

A: I don’t think it’s any more pressure than being the fifth starter. You want to help your team out no matter where you pitch. I always put a lot of pressure on myself to pitch. Anything extra just rolls off my back.

Q: How do you explain your transformation from gentle giant off the field?

A: When you step in between the lines, you want to win. You have a different frame of mind. Every athlete has that. It’s the complete opposite of my personality off the field.

Q: So how would you describe your personality on the mound?

A: I don’t know . . . my wife (Amber) always says, “Like a bear.” (Laughs)

Q: A bear?

A: I’m kinda temperamental. My emotions are always something I have to work on keeping in control.

Q: Is it different playing for the Yankees?

A: No doubt, just from the media attention and the fans that come from all over the country at every road game. Every night it’s a packed house.

Q: You like that?

A: Love it.

Q: A lot of players have difficulty adapting to New York . . . why didn’t you?

A: I felt comfortable coming in from Day 1. I really didn’t worry about anything. I just went out and pitched. I didn’t feel any pressure. I felt like I had one of the best teams in the league.

Q: What would your advice be to free agents who come to New York?

A: Just be yourself. And I think if you do that, you won’t have any problem.

Q: What did (general manager) Brian Cashman say to convince your wife to come to New York?

A: I think that’s the biggest misconception. She was always for here. I was trying to make sure I made the best decision. A lot of people were saying she was the one that didn’t want to come.

Q: Is she similar to your mother (Margie)?

A: In a lot of ways . . . personality-wise, really strong women, can handle pretty much everything.

Q: Favorite NYC things?

A: Campagnola . . . going to the Garden to watch the Knicks is a cool thing.

Q: What do you eat at Campagnola?

A: They really just bring everything out.

Q: What impresses you about Carmelo Anthony?

A: That he scores from anywhere on the court.

Q: Can he and Amar’e Stoudemire coexist?

A: I think so. They have to be friends and have good chemistry. It seems they have that. I don’t think it’ll be a problem at all.

Q: What was missing from the 2010 Yankees?

A: It just wasn’t our year. Texas just beat us in every aspect.

Q: Does that intensify the Yankees hunger this year?

A: No doubt. For myself and A.J. (Burnett), coming in here and winning our first year and getting a taste of that, not to have the parade at the end of the year, that’s why you want to get back to that stage.

Q: Your memories of the parade?

A: It kinda went too quick for me. It was so surreal. I definitely want a chance to do that again.

Q: A.J.’s frame of mind now?

A: He’s always had a good frame of mind. Everybody gets a little moody at some point. It’s a long year. He had a tough year . . . I think he’ll have a good year.

Q: Phil Hughes?

A: He’s very laid-back and calm and can really handle everything.

Q: Russell Martin?

A: Russ has come in and done a good job learning us and knowing what we like to do in certain situations. Being friends off the field helps your chemistry.

Q: Your 7-year-old son Carsten Charles III?

A: He’s exactly like I am. He’s a huge sports fan. He made me take him to a hockey game this year. It was his first and my first.

Q: Is he a pitcher?

A: He likes playing third base. He’s only 7. They don’t start pitching to each other until 8 or 9.

Q: Your 5-year-old daughter Jaeden Arie?

A: Jaeden is definitely a girlie girl. She doesn’t really like watching sports. She knows I play for the Yankees and asks a few questions. She’d rather read “Pinkalicious.” That’s her favorite book.

Q: And your 3-year-old daughter Cyia?

A: She runs the house. Just a dominant personality, gets her way all the time. She’s tough. I think she’ll end up playing sports.

Q: Your fourth child?

A: Carter. He’s 8 months.

Q: Players you’d pay to watch?

A: (Albert) Pujols . . . Alex . . . I like (Troy) Tulowitzki.

Q: NFL?

A: I like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

Q: The NFL lockout?

A: I think it’s sad. As a fan, I hope they get something done.

Q: Do you play fantasy football?

A: I do; I’m not very good. I just like the draft and the trash-talking before the draft. (Bullpen coach) Mike Harkey runs my team. I’m the owner, he’s the GM (laughs).

Q: Do you know any Jets or Giants?

A: I see (Justin) Tuck a lot at the basketball games. Santonio Holmes I know . . . Braylon Edwards.

Q: Do you miss Cap’N Crunch?

A: I don’t. I leave it to my son (laughs).

Q: You can sit down with four Black History Month players . . .

A: Bob Gibson; Jackie Robinson; Josh Gibson; Satchel Paige.

Q: Why Bob Gibson?

A: Just to see his mentality on pitching . . . just how dominant he was.

Q: Jackie?

A: Just to get a chance to thank him for going through what he did allowing me to play.

Q: Josh Gibson and Paige?

A: Their stories traveling around the world. It seemed like they had a lot of fun playing the game.

Q: Does it make you angry or sad what so many of them had to endure?

A: More sad. But thankful at the same time they did go through what they went through to allow me to have the opportunity I have now.

Q: (New Yankees pitching coach) Larry Rothschild?

A: Awesome. He’s got a great personality. He knows how to get his point across without coming off too strong or too weak.

Q: Favorite 2009 World Series memory?

A: Running out on the field, taking a lap around the field and celebrating with the fans.

Q: How much will you miss Andy Pettitte?

A: A lot. Being a left-handed pitcher and pitching in the AL East a lot and being able to talk to him about different hitters.

Q: Any chance he comes back?

A: No chance.

Q: Not winning a second Cy Young last year?

A: You look at what Felix (Hernandez) did, he definitely deserved it. It’s awesome winning a Cy Young. . . . I’d rather win the World Series.