Roy Halladay will make his debut for the Phillies against the Yankees on Thursday.

The Phillies will officially open up the Grapefruit League schedule the way the ended last season: a date with the New York Yankees. However, instead of sending Pedro Martinez to the hill, the Phillies have the best pitcher in baseball this time.

Roy Halladay will make his debut in red and blue tomorrow against CC Sabathia — the largest man to don the blue pinstripes.

Granted, this game doesn’t have nearly the same meaning as the last time these two team’s met, and yet it does. The winner does not capture the World Series crown, but a win now can certainly help with confidence as the 2010 campaign starts.

Seeing Halladay pitch for the Phils will be a thrill, even if for just two innings. We’ll get a sneak preview of the 18-20 wins he”l pick up for us this year, while giving a glimpse of what to expect in October.

While the Dodgers, Cardinals, Red Sox and Angels may not want to hear this, Thursday’s game is a very likely preview of the 2010 Fall Classic.