Toronto @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 2, 2010 ) Toronto 6, NY Yankees 1
The first half of the season was a topsy-turvy one for the Toronto Blue Jays, who slugged their way to prominence in the AL East before tumbling out of contention.
They'll open the second half against a guy who would probably rather face them back in Toronto.
Andy Pettitte makes his case for inclusion in the upcoming All-Star Game as he leads the New York Yankees into the second of a three-game series with the Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. The Blue Jays scored five runs in the 11th inning to win Friday's series opener, 6-1.
It was a fitting end to a strange first half for the Blue Jays, who relied on a timely offensive outburst to put an end to their five-game losing streak. Toronto's runs came in bunches over the first three months of the season - leading to a record-breaking 54 home runs in May, followed by a forgettable 9-17 record in June.
Game No. 82 will see the Blue Jays face a familiar foe in Pettitte (9-2), who will be making his 42nd career start against Toronto, the most against any major-league team. Pettitte is an impressive 20-12 against the Blue Jays all-time, and has been dominant at the Rogers Centre in his career, going 15-5 with a 3.80 ERA.
Facing the Jays in New York has not been nearly as pleasant for the 38-year-old left-hander. He has gone 0-5 with an ERA of 6.58 in his last nine home starts against Toronto, with his last victory coming back on Aug. 2, 1999.
His trouble with Toronto aside, Pettitte has looked sensational so far this season as he looks to reach the Midseason Classic for the third time. He is among the league leader in victories, ranks fourth in the American League with a 2.72 ERA and is limiting opposing hitters to a meager .239 average.
Pettitte has slowed down some after a torrid start, and took a no-decision in his last outing after surrendering five runs on six hits over five innings in an 8-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was the first time Pettitte had failed to go at least seven innings since May 20.
The Blue Jays counter with fellow left-hander Ricky Romero (6-4), the only Toronto starter to rank in the top 10 in American League ERA (2.83).
Romero has been on fire of late, allowing just two earned runs over his last three starts. Yet, he is just 1-1 over that span, and is coming off a 2-1 loss to the Cleveland Indians in his last outing despite allowing just two runs over seven solid innings.
Romero is 1-1 with a 4.74 ERA in four starts all-time against the Yankees. He last faced them June 5 in Toronto, where he surrendered two runs in eight innings but wasn't around for the decision in a 3-2 Toronto victory.