It is off-season mini-camp week for the locals, the New York Jets and New York Giants.
Star cornerback Darrelle Revis, pouting about his contract, sat out part of the Jets' practice Monday. See SB Nation's Gang Green Nation for all your news and discussion about the Jets.
The Giants open their three-day mini-camp with two practices today. The second workout will be at the New Meadowlands Stadium, and is free to anyone who has gone through the process of obtaining a ticket (go to Giants.com for details).
The Giants are expecting 25,000 fans for their first workout in the new house. See SB Nation's Big Blue View for all your Giants news.
The New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies begin a three-game World Series rematch tonight. Roy Halladay faces CC Sabathia, and ESPN points out just how tough Halladay has been on the Yankees.
1. Let's start with the most basic piece of information: wins and losses. Halladay is 18-6 all-time against the Yankees, good for a .750 winning percentage against them.
Only two pitchers who have more than 20 decisions against the Yankees have better win-loss records: You've heard of the all-time leader, Babe Ruth (17-5, .773). No. 2 is early 20th-century Hall of Famer Addie Joss (28-9, .757).
2. Wins and losses rarely tell the whole story. Let's go one step further. Halladay's career ERA against the Yankees is 2.84. Let's look strictly at this time period -- the wild-card era (since 1994) -- before venturing further.
Halladay's 2.84 is not just the best among the 19 pitchers who have thrown 100 innings. It's the best by an overwhelming margin. Here are the only pitchers among that group with ERAs under 4.00.
Halladay, 2.84; Pedro Martinez, 3.20; David Wells, 3.47. The other 16 pitchers all have ERAs over 4.
All of that is a large part of the reason why the Phillies, losers of last season's World Series, obtained Halladay in a trade. That, and he is the best pitcher in the league in the first place. See Pinstripe Alley for all your Yankee news and discussion.
The surging Mets face the awful Cleveland Indians tonight. Check out Amazin' Avenue for all your Mets' needs.
Posting and Toasting wondered if New York Knicks' fans were happy for former Knick and current Celtic Nate Robinson, who has helped Boston get within one game of an NBA title. Judging from the poll results, the answer is 'yes.'
It is 'Avery Johnson Introduction Day' for the New Jersey Nets. Be sure to check in with Nets Daily for updates on the goings-on with the new coach.