"A few days ago — before they were tabbed for a head-to-head matchup in a winner-take-all game in the National League Division Series — Roy Halladay invited his friend Chris Carpenter on an offseason fishing trip.

The two have been close since their days in Toronto more than a decade ago, and while they spent many nights helping each other develop as pitchers, they've always had a rivalry when it comes to fishing.

"It's a toss-up," Halladay said when pressed on which of the two was a more formidable angler. "I think I've been practicing more than he has lately.""