Last time we saw the New York Yankees (8-6) and Boston Red Sox (9-5) playing at the Fens, Cory Lidle and David Wells were facing off in what would be the last of a five game sweep known as "Boston Massacre II."  In fact, going back to May 23, 2006, the Yanks have won seven in a row in front of Red Sox Nation.  How much of that changes, depends on the Red Sox starting pitching, which has been stellar to start off the 2007 campaign.  And how they are able to fare against a Yankees lineup led by Alex Rodriguez, which just absolutely scalpped Chief Wahoo and the Cleveland Indians in a three game sweep.

Here's the positional breakdown:

Catcher: Jorge Posada vs. Jason Varitek.  EDGE: Yankees. 

Posada continues driling the ball, hitting at a .353 clip, while Varitek can't seem to shake the decline he's been on since signing a new deal after the 2004 season, batting only .189.

1st Base: Doug Mientkiewicz vs. Kevin Youkilis.  EDGE: EVEN.

Both have gotten off to relatively slow starts at the plate, but have played stellar defense thus far.  This will be Mientkiewicz's first trip back to Boston as a member of the Yankees, so mother's lock up your daughter's and owners lock up your baseballs.

2nd Base: Robinson Cano vs. Dustin Pedroia.  EDGE: Yankees.

Cano has yet to really go off on a tear and Pedroia has yet to prove himself as an everyday player.  Even if Alex Cora plays, he's scrappy, but not what the Sox want out of an everyday 2nd baseman.

Shortstop: Derek Jeter vs. Julio Lugo.  EDGE: Yankees.

Jeter is the epitomy of consistancy, while the Red Sox have used five different starting shortstops since 2004, though Lugo will be a thorn in the Yankees side as always, dating back to his Tampa days.

3rd Base: Alex Rodriguez vs. Mike Lowell.  EDGE: Yankees.

Mike Lowell is a hard-nosed, servicable player who has a lot of balance to his game, mostly a double's hitter with some pop and a great glove.  However A-Rod is on a whole other planet right now, batting .351 with 10 HR's and 26 RBI, with most of those numbers being put up in late inning clutch spots.

Leftfield: Manny Ramirez vs. Melky Cabrera.  EDGE: Red Sox.

With all due respect to David Ortiz, no player on the Sawx invokes as much fear into a Yankee fan than Manny Ramirez.  Ramirez  just hit his 1st homer of the season in Toronto yesterday, serving as a caution flag for Yankee pitchers this weekend, as Manny usually hits 'em in bunches, even off the great Mariano.  Meanwhile Melky Cabrera has gotten off to a slow start offensively, though his defense continues to shine,  just ask Manny.  Though Melky will have to climb quite a ways to rob Manny this time around.

Centerfield: Johnny Damon vs. Coco Crisp.  EDGE: Yankees.

Johnny Damon may throw like Mary, but at least he doesn't hit like Coco Crisp.  Damon has played tough through injuries, while Crisp hasn't been able to make Sox fans forget Gabe Kapler.

Rightfield: J.D. Drew vs. Bobby Abreu.  EDGE: EVEN.

Both have gotten off to an outstanding start, both seemingly overlooked, funny seeing as how they're each hitting over a .340 clip. 

DH: David Ortiz vs. Jason Giambi.  EDGE: Red Sox.

Papi has been the Red Sox MVP thus far, hitting .288 with 5 HR's and 13 RBI, if A-Rod weren't so far ahead, we could be looking at 2005 all over again.  Giambi, traditionally a slow starter is starting to come around in the power department.

Starters:  Andy Pettitte vs. Curt Schilling.  EDGE: Yankees.  Josh Beckett vs. Jeff Karstens.  EDGE: Red Sox.  Daisuke Matsuzaka vs. Chase Wright.  EDGE: Red Sox.

Pettitte is a known Red Sox killer, while Schilling has been shaky vs. the Yankees post-bloody sock.

Again these next two starters are in need of a pivotal showing against New York this weekend to prove the Sawx staff is ready to play with the big boys.  Beckett was horrid last season against the Yanks, but has pitched brilliantly of late.  Matsuzaka will no doubt be facing his toughest challenge yet in his young MLB career against a deep Yankee lineup.  Meanwhile the Yanks countering with Karstens and Wright, will hope that offense holds up to give them breathing room against the starting pitching of Boston.

Bullpen: EDGE: EVEN.

Boston's bullpen was absolutely horrific last season and was especially depleted in the five game sweep at the hands of the Yankees.  The Yankees like the Red Sox have a much deeper bullpen this season.  Given the Yankees offense and their starting pitching, depending on which way it goes, it could be a very long series for both bullpens.

Prediction: Yanks take two out of three.