Obviously, it’s a rematch of last year’s World Series, which you may recall the Yankees won. It’s also the third time in two years the National League Phillies will visit the Bronx, which is weird. And it’s a rare game for the Yankees against a team that isn’t in last place — though on occasion this year, the Phillies’ lack of offense could have fooled you into thinking they were one.
Then there’s Roy Halladay returning to play a team he dominated for so many years in the American League East. (His career record against the Yankees: 18–6 with a 2.84 ERA.) It’s also the rare situation in which Mets fans have to kind of root for the Yankees, by virtue of their rooting against Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, CC Sabathia, the nominal ace of the Yankees’ staff, will attempt to beat a team other than the Orioles for the first time since April 16. But here’s one thing that won’t happen tonight: Alex Rodriguez thinks he needs one more day to rest his right hip flexor, so he won’t be in the starting lineup.