Halladay, Wang square off in Bronx

Baseball Betting Lines

07/04/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In his second start since coming off the disabled list, Roy Halladay will take the mound for the Blue Jays when Toronto takes on the New York Yankees in the second matchup of a four-game stint at Yankee Stadium.

The strong right-hander suffered his second loss of the season in his last start, allowing two runs in six innings against Tampa Bay. However, despite the setback, Halladay has been one of the top pitchers in all of baseball and is currently 10-2 on the season with an outstanding 2.56 ERA.

The Yankees are very familiar with Toronto's ace, however, the team has not enjoyed much success against him, as Halladay has posted a 16-5 ledger with a 2.79 earned run average in 33 appearances against the Bronx Bombers.

As for the Yankees they will turn to Chien-Ming Wang, who has been brutal throughout most of the season. Wang has just one victory in his last 10 appearances, and on the season the right-hander is just 1-6 with an astronomical 10.06 earned run average.

His lone victory came in his last start, as the Taiwanese native led New York to a 4-2 victory over its NL counterpart, the New York Mets. Wang tossed 5 1/3 innings against the Mets, surrendering just two runs on four hits.

Wang has made nine career starts against the Blue Jays, and has a 4-2 record with a 4.63 ERA.

Yesterday, Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez each homered as New York doubled up Toronto, 4-2. Mark Teixeira added a hit and an RBI for the Yankees, who have won eight of their last nine.

A.J. Burnett (7-4), facing his former club for the second time in 2009, went seven innings for the win, scattering six hits and two runs, fanning seven with a pair of walks.

"I made just one mistake the whole game," said Burnett. "Everything went well mechanically and as long as I can keep the ball away from the hitters things will go well."

Mariano Rivera recorded the final three outs to earn his 21st save.

Vernon Wells collected two hits including a homer and Alex Rios drove in the other run for the Blue Jays, who have dropped six of eight.

Brian Tallet (5-6) lasted six innings in the loss, charged with six hits and three runs -- two earned -- with four walks and three strikeouts.

"Both guys pitched great," said Toronto manager Cito Gaston. "The walks won the game for them and A-Rod hit a big home run for them. I think both teams hit the ball the same way, but they came out on top."

The Yankees won two of three matchups in Toronto from May 12-14 and have won five of the seven most recent meetings between the teams.

Today, of course is the 70th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's "Luckiest Man" speech and the Yankees will honor one of their greatest players with a video tribute that includes current players reciting portions of his speech, as well as wearing a "4ALS" patch and the No. 4 will be on first base.

The Yankees also will contribute $25,000 to the ALS Association of Greater New York.

BC-AAN;PREVIEW-TOR-NYY

=== Halladay, Wang square off in Bronx ===

(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In his second start since coming off the disabled list, Roy Halladay will take the mound for the Blue Jays when Toronto takes on the New York Yankees in the second matchup of a four-game stint at Yankee Stadium.