The buzz today is Mike Mussina vs. Pedro Martinez. Nearly everyone is talking about it, except for Mussina.

“No, no, no, no Boston questions,” Mussina said at his locker before the Yankees’ 7-3 triumph over the Devil Rays yesterday at the Stadium.

When asked why, Mussina sounded like a child failing to provide a good reason for refusing a chore.

“Because I don’t,” said Mussina before leaning down to look at a reporter’s notebook for emphasis. “Because I don’t.”

Mussina was as silent yesterday as he has made opponents’ bats of late. Over his past four starts, Mussina’s ERA is 1.20, which includes last Sunday’s 11-1 domination of the Red Sox and Martinez.

That day, while Martinez was rocked for eight runs, Mussina won his third straight, throwing a masterful seven innings of one-run ball, while striking out eight.

While Mussina is extremely focused on his job, he does not pay close attention to who is starting for the Sox, even if it seems as if it is always Martinez vs. Mussina.

“Great pitchers do that,” Joe Torre said. “They stay within themselves instead of getting caught up in it.

Martinez isn’t pitching as well as he has in the past. While he can still dominate, his 16-7 record and 3.69 ERA are very good, but not overwhelming.

“You have to be on your ‘A’ game because he is a guy who can embarrass you at the plate,” Gary Sheffield said. “He is very competitive. You can tell when he is out on the mound.”

By no means will Mussina, 12-9 with a 4.60 ERA, become overconfident.

“You know being hot can disappear very quickly,” Mussina said. “It is still preparation. It is still the same whether you are winning three or losing three. They are all important games.”

Game 1 matchups

vs. MIKE MUSSINA

Name Average OPS

Johnny Damon .250 (18-72) .656

Mark Bellhorn .375 (3-8) 1.250

Manny Ramirez .183 (13-71) .645

David Ortiz .077 (2-26) .249

Trot Nixon .167 (9-54) .509

Kevin Millar .333 (7-21) .963

Jason Varitek .098 (4-41) .257

Orlando Cabrera .333 (1-3) 1.000

Bill Mueller .000 (0-13) .133

Gabe Kapler .167 (2-12) .583

Kevin Youkilis never faced

Doug Mientkiewicz .250 (3-12) .583

vs. PEDRO MARTINEZ

Name Average OPS

Derek Jeter .233 (17-73) .668

Alex Rodriguez .179 (7-39) .564

Gary Sheffield .310 (9-29) 1.084

Hideki Matsui .053 (1-19) .105

Jorge Posada .208 (11-53) .832

Jason Giambi .167 (7-42) .548

Bernie Williams .179 (12-67) .619

John Olerud .225 (9-40) .595

Miguel Cairo .273 (6-22) .773

Tony Clark .286 (4-14) .875

Ruben Sierra .269 (7-26) .796

Kenny Lofton .317 (13-41) .744

Career regular-season stats

OPS: On-base pct. plus slugging pct.