It is SO nice to see him pitching for a team that can really appreciate him. Not that the Jays didn't. In fact they appreciated him so much they felt they didn't need to show up at bat when he pitched.

PS, I hate to say I told you so, but....

What is scary is that I don't even think Halladay is at his best yet. I have not seen a pitcher this effective since Greg Maddux in the 1995 season. I also think his teammates play better when he's on the mound, evidenced by awesome Philly defense on Wednesday night.

For Mike Beane, a few stats...

First, Halladay is a more effective pitcher.
An average of 12.48 pitches per inning so far this year, versus 15.6 per inning for Lincecum. (Halladay's career average is also better than Lincecum's).
Halladay's career walks per 9 innings is a bit lower than Lincecum's....amazing given that the AL has the DH rule.


Also...their numbers in the month of September over the last 3 years:

Lincecum: 4-6, ERA of 3.70 (including a 1-3 mark last season in September during the pennant race)
Halladay: 9-5, ERA of 2.48


What makes those numbers REALLY amazing is that most of Doc's starts in September were against the division foes in the AL East. Plus which, I am quite confident that Lincecum's numbers would have been even lower had he been pitching in the much tougher American league.

Trust me, I'd take Lincecum in a heartbeat. But he'd be the #2 pitcher behind Doc H. on the Phillies. (Actually, strategically, I'd put Lincecum #3, only because I'd have the southpaw Hamels as #2).