7:05–PNC Park, PittsburghMike Mussina (11-6, 3.64) vs. Paul Maholm (5-5, 4.05)[Preview]———–Well, hopefully you remember how this one came about. This was supposed to be the third game of the series back in late June, the Yankees quickly took a 3-1 lead, rain came, and the game was called after what seemed like forever. The good thing is, the teams start from scratch tonight: 1st inning, 0-0, you get the idea.Here’s the [GameDay] from June 26th.————Somehow, the rotations of both teams shape up so the same starting pitchers are on the hill again. Paul Maholm for the Bucs, Mussina for the Yanks.-I could repeat my mini-scouting reports found in the GameDay link above, but instead I’ll tell you what matters. Maholm had a rough go of it in the first inning of that game: the Yankees opened things up like this: double, double, triple, double. 3-0. BUT, he settled down after that and has been on a heck of a roll lately. He pitched quite well last time out against the Brewers (8 innings 1 run) and is 3-0, 2.74 over his last 7 starts.Mussina has been extremely good and is coming off a 6-inning, scoreless performance against Boston. He was hit around a little in the first three innings, too, but limited damage to one run.I have to put up the moose picture, though:

——The atmosphere may not be what it was a few weeks ago since this is a one-time deal, but it should definitely be better than what we saw in the Astros series this week. I expect the park to be pretty-much full.——And, as was the case on the 26th, I’ll be there again, behind home plate. Look for the Jolly Roger flag, but I was apparently just off the screen last time. If I’m there, it will be in the top left corner.——Kind of strange-feeling, but this is indeed a rubber-match. It won’t feel the same, but beating the Yankees in a series would feel nice.And interleague will OFFICIALLY be over after today.———JVB was sent down after yesterday’s outing. Luis Munoz was called up from Double-A–strange choice. He’s 1-2, 5.09 down there.———-