Former Allies go Head to Head – Yankees at Blue Jays

The Blue Jays may have had one of the best one two punches in the majors when they had Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett at the top of Toronto’s rotation from 2006-08. Back then it was the offence that couldn’t produce enough to get them into the post season, something the Jays are having no trouble with this year.

Burnett was lured away by the big figures and bigger stage of the Bronx Zoo where he’s had a mediocre start to the season in a rotation that is desperately looking for answers. Halladay is just going about his business of dominating everyone he faces and has his Blue Jays atop the league standings.

The Yankees are simply looking scratch back to .500 and have a stiff challenge in the opener as Burnett makes his first start against his former team Tuesday night in Toronto. Halladay will be on the hill for the Jays to open up a big three-game set for both clubs.

Burnett (2-0, 5.26 ERA) hasn’t had the dream start I’m sure he envisioned in New York but he still doesn’t have a loss and would almost be considered a bright spot on a rotation that ranks 29th in the majors with a 5.79 ERA. That number is unacceptable considering they signed Burnett and CC Sabathia in the offseason to hypothetically have the best rotation in the MLB.

The Jays have been an anomaly of sorts as nine different pitchers have started at least two games. It doesn’t seem to be hurting Toronto as they come into tonight’s action with a 22-12 mark and a respectable 4.11 staff ERA. Halladay, as usual, has been the rock in the rotation and comes in with a 6-1 record while posting a 3.29 ERA. The Doc was in fine form in his last outing as he allowed only one run in eight innings of Wednesday’s 13-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

Here are some MLB trends as they relate to this game:

NY Yankees:

• NYY are 2-6 in their last 8 games on grass.

• NYY are 2-6 in their last 8 overall.

• Over is 8-3-1 in NYY last 12 overall.

Toronto:

• TOR are 10-4 in their last 14 Tue. games.

• TOR are 7-3 in their last 10 games on grass.

• TOR are 7-3 in their last 10 overall.

Head to Head:

• TOR are 20-7 in Halladay’s last 27 starts vs. NYY.

• Under is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings in Toronto.

As dominating as Halladay has been over the years, he’s been that much more so against the Yankees. In 32 games against New York in his career, Halladay has gone 15-5 with a 2.86 ERA. Last season he was devastating to the Bronx Bombers as he went 5-1 with a 2.40 ERA.

The Pick: Toronto Blue Jays (-140)