Sometimes the biggest contributions can come from the least likely sources. In the Red Sox quest to take over first place in the AL East from the Rays, that source could be a pitcher that has beaten Boston two-times already this season: Roy Halladay. In Halladayss last four starts he has faced the Rays and Yankees each twice. In those four starts he has come away with a 4-0 record and 2.67 ERA. He has struck out 26 batters in 27 innings while walking just 2. The two teams have combined to hit .241 against the Toronto ace over the 4 games. He has helped quash the Yankees hopes of getting back into the playoff race, and helped the Rays from running away with the AL East. And losses to Halladay can mean more than the single-game...they can also mean the end of a team's winning streak or the end of hitter's confidence. As the Sox climb closer to Tampa, and further distance themselves from New York, there are clearly many players in their own clubhouse to thank....and at least one in the Toronto's.
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Halladay vs potential playoff teams:
vs Angels: 1-0, 2.57 ERA
vs Red Sox: 2-1, 2.10 ERA
vs White Sox; 1-0, 1.23 ERA
vs Twins; 1-0; 5.40 ERA
vs Yankees; 4-1; 2.50 ERA
vs Rays; 2-3; 4.11 ERA
Obviously he started the season slow vs Tampa, but other than that these are some pretty dominant numbers.
I know Riccardi claimed there was "nothing to the rumors" about Halladay being unhappy and wanting out of Toronto, but I never actually heard Halladay say that. I wonder if a Bowden/Buchholz combo could convince them to trade within the division?
I'd give up those 2 for Halladay and i'd even throw in another low level minor league postion player or a draft pick.
Halladay has roughly 2-years and $27 million left on his deal...then he'll be a free agent after 2010 and will be 33. I'd assume unless Toronto thinks they can extend him they have to think about dealing him at some point.
Even if you knew he was going to leave in 2 years though, how many pitchers in baseball would you rather have for the next 2 years? He's clearly Top 5 on my list...possibly throw in Santana, Beckett, Peavey and Webb (that's just off the top of my head, and yes I know Sabathia has been amazing but I still would hesitate to sign him to big money).
Some more impressive Halladay numbers
Since the beginning of the 2002 season Halladay is 111-47 for a .703 winning %.
Since the beginning of the 2002 season, in all other Blue Jays games, Toronto is 446-509 for a .467 winning %.
He has also led the league in complete games 4 of the past 5 years.
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