BOSTON – Buck Showalter’s decision to replace his regulars early in a game against the Angels yesterday raised eyebrows in the Yankees’ clubhouse.

If Showalter’s Rangers had beaten the Angels, the Yankees would have copped home-field advantage against the Angels in the ALDS that starts tomorrow night in Anaheim.

But when the Yankees lost to the Red Sox, 10-1, and the Angels beat the Rangers, 7-4, the Yankees had no chance of hosting three games in the best-of-five ALDS.

“I was surprised,” Joe Torre said. “I could see if his team was in the playoffs and he wanted to rest his players. I don’t understand that.”

Alex Rodriguez, who played for Showalter in Texas, echoed Torre’s feelings.

“He is the manager and has the right to do as he chooses,” A-Rod said. “There is a code of honor with so much on the line. But you can’t control what people do. It is what it is.”

Conspiracy theory lovers believe Showalter, a former Yankee manager, was sticking it to George Steinbrenner by removing his regulars early.

The Boss didn’t comment on the situation.