The Final Score

As I await the boarding of my flight, here's what I'm looking forward to this weekend when the Yankees and Red Sox begin the 2008 chapter of their rivalry.

* Do the Yankees score runs?
Of course they're bound to break out soon, but I'd bet against it happening tonight barring a meltdown by rookie Clay Buchholz. Still, the Yankees didn't get into Boston until after 3 this morning. Tough turnaround.

* Chien-Ming Wang's Fenway woes
He's always struggled at Fenway - he has a 6.17 ERA in 35 innings spanning six starts there. He's been awesome in two starts so far, and now he faces his biggest test of '08.

* A look at the rook
I, for one, am looking forward to seeing Buchholz pitch for the first time in person. He goes tonight. Only thing better would have been if he was matched up against Phil Hughes.

* Hughes under the bright lights
Sunday night's start for Hughes ranks second only to his playoff appearance last fall in pressure. He's coming off a bad start. If he struggles again, the questions get louder.

* Does Jeter play?
You know he wants to. But the weather is supposed to be bad in Fenway. Highs of 50 and rain, and that's during the day. It'll be in the 40s tonight and Sunday night. Sorry, Yankee fans, the best bet here is to sit him.

* How about Posada?
Same issues for Posada, with the cold. I don't see him catching this weekend.

* A-Rod in Boston
It's always fun to see how this plays out. It's the top subplot to The Rivalry.