Red Sox-Yankees (May 22, 23, & 24)

Get ready for over-the-top media hype, four hour games, and the biggest rivalry in sports. Yes, that's right, the Yankees are back in Boston. Make sure to send the schedule makers a big pile of goose dung for Christmas this year for scheduling another Sox-Yanks series on a Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. In Monday's opener, Curt Schilling (6-2, 4.17) again tries to get back on track after a few rough outings. He will be opposed by Chien-Ming Wang (4-1, 3.79), who is currently the "ace" of Steinbrenner's $800-billion starting rotation. NESN and WEEI have this one at 7:05 and ESPN will carry the game nationally. In Game 2, Tim Wakefield (3-5, 4.17) faces Jaret Wright (1-3, 4.94). Wake has always been a Yankee killer (excluding Aaron Bleepin' Boone) and Wright is far from being a dependable starter. NESN and WEEI have the game at 7:05. In the finale, Matt Clement (4-3, 5.36) will go up against the struggling Randy Johnson (5-4, 5.62). Actually, on the Red Sox afficial website, the Yankees starter for Wednesday is listed as TBA -- so keep an eye on the Underachieving Unit. As in the other two games, NESN and WEEI have the coverage at 7:05. This is another key May series for the AL East leading Red Sox. The Yankees are right behind the Sox so it is crucial for Boston to take at least 2-of-3 to maintain the division lead. The more pressure the Red Sox can apply to the scuffling Yanks the better, especially with a Steinbrenner explosion due any minute now. Beating up on the Yankees this week may force New York's hand before June arrives on the calendar.