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Halladay, Blue Jays play host to Chamberlain, Yankees

Jul 11, 2008 - 10:13 AM NY Yankees (49-43) at Toronto (45-47) 7:07 p.m. EDT

TORONTO (Ticker) -- Rookie sensation Joba Chamberlain will match up against All-Star Roy Halladay when the Toronto Blue Jays host the New York Yankees Friday in the opener of a three-game series.

While Halladay has established himself over the last decade as one of the best pitchers in the game, Chamberlain is becoming the Yankees' ace one start at a time.

Chamberlain (2-2, 2.45 ERA) began the season in the bullpen before beginning a slow transition to the rotation on June 3. The 22-year-old righthander is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA as a starter and will be making his eighth start overall.

Chamberlain allowed more than two earned runs for the first time in his starting career Sunday against the Red Sox, yielding three on four hits while walking four and striking out five in six frames. He did not factor in the decision.

Halladay (10-6, 2.88) will be trying to keep things rolling for Toronto, which is coming off a sweep of the Baltimore Orioles and has won four of its last five. The ace righthander was named Sunday to his fifth American League All-Star team and anchors a staff that ranks fifth in the majors in team ERA.

Halladay is 7-1 since May 14 and leads the majors with six complete games He is coming off a win against the Angels on Saturday in which he allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings, striking out seven and walking one.

He earned a win against the Yankees on June 3 and owns an 11-5 record with a 3.03 ERA against the division rivals in his career.