WHY NOVA AND JOBA ARE KEY

Ivan Nova: Nova is an up and comer. And as you know, I love the guy but have reservations.

Look, when he pitched against the Phillies in the spring training game last Sunday, Nova looked dynamite. He retired the 6 batters he faced in the heart of the Philadelphia lineup. That's great right? Confidence running high in Nova's head, confidence running high in the Yankee clubhouse. All is well, right? Wrong. Look, I'm not worried about Nova early on, I'm worried about Nova in 2 situations: Men on base and batters seeing him the 2nd and 3rd time around in a game.

There's no question Nova can clean house against ball clubs in the first time round the lineup. He's that good and over time he'll get better. The question is, can he be creative enough with his battery mate to offer something different the 2nd and 3rd time 'round to stay affective.
If he can do that, and keep runners to a minimum on base, he'll be a great 5th rotation guy.

I saw runners on base because, as we saw many times last September, when men get on against Nova, his confidence vanishes. Worry then affects his throws and that's when he gets into trouble. All Nova needs to do is keep his head on track and pound the strike zone. If he can do that, those pesky men on base won't be a factor. I know he can do it, many do.
Joba Chamberlain: Weights no issue, at least so far. But that's what Spring Training is all about.

Joba touched 94 mph in his 1 inning of the Spring Saturday and basically was saying to everyone "F you, Mother F'ers". You have to hand that to Joba Chamberlain, no matter what situation he's in, he will always give 110 percent...it doesn't matter if there are bugs on him, he's gained 15 pounds or he's in a situation where the bases are loaded with evil Red Sox...it just doesn't matter. He chucks it just the same.

The best part of Joba is mechanics. If he was able to figure out the mechanics of his pitching with Larry Rothschild and fix it. If he stays on that track, he will be the lethal weapon Yankee fans have been waiting for.

Most of us like Joba for his ego, confidence, whatever you want to call it. When it looks like it's missing and he starts falling off, giving up walks, key base hits, we hammer him. Why? Because Joba can be super dominant for the Yankees and we are rooting for the guy. We know he's got it. If Roth can fix this man, the world will be perfect again.

Nova and Chamberlain in my mind are the keys to the Yankees pitching. A starter and reliever who could ultimately be factors by September if they stay healthy and stay focused. The good news is, I like what I'm seeing from Rothschild already. His hands on approach can set these guys straight for a year of dominance...but it starts with them first...and it feels like it's starting already.

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