NEW YORK YANKEES
Johnny Damon, CF
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Álex Rodríguez, 3B
Jason Giambi, 1B
Xavier Nady, LF
Hideki Matsui, DH
Robinson Cano, 2B
Ivan Rodriguez, C
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Joe Inglett, 2B
Marco Scutaro, 3B
Alex Rios, RF
Vernon Wells, CF
Adam Lind, LF
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Matt Stairs, DH
Rod Barajas, C
John McDonald, SS
PREGAME NOTES:
Yanks are 6-5 against the Jays this season with 6 games to go after tonight.
Roy Halladay is a lifetime 12-5, 2.88 ERA, 1.14 WHIP in 29 games (27 starts) against the Yanks. He is 9-2, 2.04 ERA, 0.90 WHIP over his last 15 starts against them, including 3 complete games.
Sidney Ponson is a lifetime 7-10, 4.59 ERA, 1.31 WHIP in 19 games (18 starts) against the Jays. He is 3-2, 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP in 9 starts for the Yanks this season.
Yanks' hitters vs. Halladay can be viewed here. Jays' hitters vs. Ponson can be viewed here.
PAVANO TO START SATURDAY: I can't believe the Yankee rotation issues have come down to this but Carl Pavano has been given the green light over Phil Hughes to start on Saturday night against the Orioles at Camden Yards.
Frankly, if Pavano does miraculously manage to make it through the start in one piece - you'd have to consider it somewhat of a success. There's no two ways about it - this is as desperate as desperate gets and my expectations for Saturday night are about as low as one could imagine.
JOBA THROWS AGAIN: Pete Abe reports that Joba Chamberlain continued his throwing program today and came out of it feeling good.
He is scheduled to throw a 30-pitch bullpen on Saturday but will only throw fastballs and changeups and holding off on breaking balls.
There is still no timetable for his return.