It sounds like the opening starters in the All Star Game, but instead it’s another interleague game in Fenway Park.

The Diamondbacks used their bullpen and held on to beat the Red Sox Friday night.

They aren’t going to need their relievers Saurday with Curt Schilling on the hill.

Schilling is heading towards Denny McLain (31-4 in ’68) numbers already and it’s only June 8th.

How far can he go? What about the other games Saturday? Are there other tight games ahead?

You can count on it, just follow me.Unless there is a baseball strike Curt Schilling will win between 24 and 28 games this year.

I saw him pitch in Pac Bell. What impressed me was his “give me the ball and I’ll throw it past the batter” attitude.

He pitches with a lot of confidence. Schilling will be ready for his return to Fenway. He is 6-0 on the road this season.

Don’t forget Schilling started with the Sox and then was traded to Baltimore for righthander Mike Boddicker in 1989 or so.

Pedro Martinez gave up four first inning runs to the Tigers last Monday night. Martinez then settled down and pitched his game.

This indicates to me that Pedro had trouble again getting loose early in the game.

Every time out, the Boston fans hold their breath that Pedro will be healthy.

Pedro is 3-0 at Fenway.

Who will blink first in this game?

Pedro versus Schilling.

This will be a classic pitchers duel. I just can’t see the game getting out of hand unless Pedro is not right.

I like Schilling in a close game.

Jason Schmidt is on top of his game. The righthander completely handcuffed Colorado in his last start. The Giants don’t hit on the road unless the game is in San Diego. They should be over their awestruck feelings of playing in Yankee Stadium. Ted Lilly is no lock to have his stuff. In either case, it should be another low scoring pitchers battle in the Bronx.

Two good pitchers throwing in Seattle. Matt Clement for the Cubs is 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA over his last three starts. Freddy Garcia is 3-0 with a 2.05 ERA in his last three outings.

Something has to give in this one, too.

Neither team scores runs easily. Freddy Garcia has pitched in more big games than Clement. The Mariners need this one to avoid the possibility of falling into a first place tie with the Angels, should Anaheim beat the Reds Saturday.

Unless Clement holds the Mariners down like Mark Prior did Friday night, it will be trouble for the Cubs.

Aaron Harang will face Shane Reynolds. The A’s will make their move over the next month in the AL West. Harang will be a big part of the team’s comeback.

Harang has pitched two excellent game sso far (against Tampa and Seattle). Houston is struggling right now. Shane Reynolds is the type of pitcher the A’s hammer at home.

Reynolds is 0-2 in his last three starts covering only 15 innings pitched.

The sun will be shining, meaning the ball will be flying at Oakland in the afternoon.

Ishii will dazzle Baltimore on Saturday. Jason Johnson makes his first start since his April injury. He struggled before the injury and now must prove to the manager that he is a capable starter once again.

The Dodgers will enjoy Saturday in Baltimore.

Chuck Finley has been on a mission lately for Cleveland. The lefty is 2-1 with a 1.64 ERA over his last 22 innings pitched.

Being a bachelor again must agree with Finley.

The Mets offense is hibernating. Finley make sneak one in on the Metsies Saturday over Steve Trachsel.

Ramon Ortiz has a chance to bring the scorching hot Angels closer to first place. Ortiz has gone an average of seven innings per start. Cincinnati will shake the rust and give Ortiz everyhting he can handle Saturday.

Elmer Dessens is OK, but the Reds bull pen will have to close the deal if Cincinnati is to win this game.

I told you yesterday this interleague stuff can be fun.

The standings can change quickly.

Fans find themselves rooting for teams they hardly know.

This is good for baseball.

Just ask the A’s and Angels, who all of a sudden are big Cub fans.

I heard the A’s radio broadcaster describing, live on the air, Antonio Alfonseca’s last few pitches in his (Cubs) save over Seattle Friday night.

Simply amazing how this interleague stuff catches on.