Gameday: Phillies (23-17) At Yankees (24-18)

Philadelphia Phillies (23-17) at New York Yankees (24-18)
JA Happ (2-0, 2.49 ERA) vs. Andy Pettite (4-1, 4.18 ERA)
Time: 4:10 p.m. at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Weather: Partly sunny, 70
TV: FOX
Twitter: Phillies Nation

Congratulations, JA Happ, you made the rotation!

Now pitch against the New York Yankees in the new Yankee Stadium on a nationally televised Saturday afternoon game on Memorial Day weekend.

Really, this is nothing new for Happ, whose first career start was a Saturday afternoon tilt against the Mets. In fact, it’s the third consecutive season Happ will make his first start against a New York team. As a starter, Happ is 1-1 with a 3.58 ERA in 27.2 innings, or five starts. He has never faced any of these Yankees in the major leagues.

The Yankees will counter with Andy Pettite, who I’ll always remember as the man the Phillies almost traded for during the 2001 season. The trade deadline deal broke down last minute, which was a shame, because Pettite has turned in a few more sparkling seasons since that night. Since 2006 he’s kept his ERA over 4.00, but he continues to win games and strike out batters. Phillie hitters have limited experience against the lefty, and mostly, it’s not that great.

John Mayberry Jr., called up last night, will start today.

Your gameday beer: For this Happ vs. Pettite matchup, we go with Whipper Snapper beer from Portsmouth Brewery. This bitter English-style beer will stay on your tongue for a little while, and sometimes, bite is a good thing. For a gameday meal, go with some roast beef and cole slaw.

Go Phillies!