The rainout has caused us to miss the much anticipated Wells-Burkett matchup. Both those starters will be skipped in favor of the pitchers originally scheduled for Monday, Mussina and Wakefield. These two hooked up in game 1, where Wakefield kept the Yankees off balance for six innings. Mussina was not sharp at all giving up eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. Mussina thought the extra rest hurt him, which is why he's going today. The Red Sox were simply happy to skip their weakest starter.

I don't really think this changes the dynamics of the series at all. If it goes seven, Burkett will have to pitch one game. If anything, it probably helps Wells by giving him more time to rest. If Lowe goes tomorrow, he'll be going on four days rest; he probably could have used another day.

Fenway has been good to Mussina. Among active players with 93 innings pitches at the Back Bay ballpark, Mussina has the third best ERA, 3.05 (Pedro and Lowe are 1 & 2). He has a 10-5 record there. Wakefield, on the other hand, has a 48-46 record at Fenway, with a 4.30 ERA.

I don't think Mussina will make another poor start. The question for me is, will Wakefield's knuckle ball be working? If so I expect a very low scoring game.

Enjoy!