Today is April 3 and somehow the Yankees are on pace to hit 405 home runs, a figure that probably won't happen as the Yankees will settle for hitting over 200 or so.

As for reality, the Yankees are attempting to be 3-0 for the first time since the 2003 season when they won their first four - three without Derek Jeter. Phil Hughes was a high school junior at that time and a year away from being drafted and today takes the mound at Yankee Stadium for the first time since his brilliant performance against the Twins in Game Three of the ALDS.

Scouts said in various reports that Hughes' velocity had diminished slightly but the Yankees won't read too much into that, especially since spring training is more about getting your work in as opposed to maxing out the radar gun.

Hughes is throwing a cutter more and a different grip on it that provides depth, meaning movement. So it will be interesting to see how he uses and why he employs that pitch.

Whatever Hughes throws, Jorge Posada might be watching some of it as a designated hitter. Part of the challenge of getting four at-bats is keeping your head in the game and manager Joe Girardi suggests that Posada call some of the pitches from the dugout to keep himself engaged.

Weekends, especially Sunday tend to be quiet, so items going on tends to be minimal, especially early in the year. Mark Teixeira will try to homer for the third straight game and he has never opened a season with home runs in three consecutive games.

Teixeira and the rest of the Yankees will be facing Max Scherzer, who was 1-3 with a 10.38 ERA during spring training. Scherezer had a bullpen session and altered mechanics. Scherzer is trying to avoid his arm getting too long, which is similar to the problem he had last year before turning it around in the second half.

He will be throwing to Victor Martinez, who is catching for the first time since signing with the Tigers in the offseason.