My thoughts on the weekend Sox-Yanks pitching matchups:

Tonight, Joba Chamberlain vs. Josh Beckett: This is probably the most intriguing matchup of the series, with the Yankees young gun taking on Commander Kick-A$@ (as Surviving Grady likes to call him.) Beckett tends to come up big in big games and Joba seems to have difficulty keeping his pitch counts down against patient lineups like the Sox. Game one to Beckett and the Sox.

Saturday, Andy Pettitte vs. Tim Wakefield: Two great old warriors going at it, this should be a lot of fun to watch. It's really a toss-up as far as I'm concerned. It could come down to the bullpens, although since Wake has been on this roll of games where he has pitched at least into the 7th (nine in a row, I think) hopefully the Sox bullpen won't have to play much of a role.

Sunday, TBA vs. Jon Lester: Lester has been the Sox best starter this year and if he can keep from running his pitch count up he has a pretty good chance against the Bombers. It says a lot about the Yankees starting pitching that Girardi hasn't picked a starter yet. I bet he wishes he had Mussina to pitch game 3.

Sox take at least 2 out of 3 over the weekend, with a reasonable chance of a sweep. Come back Monday and see how I did!