THE RISE OF NOVA, THE FALL OF BURNETT

(Photo: Getty)
The idea that Ivan Nova has 13 wins is unbelievable to me. This is a guy that I was ripping on last season and suddenly, with all the commotion of Joba Chamberlain having Tommy John surgery, Phil Hughes getting his mystery dead arm issue and AJ Burnett imploding right in front of our eyes, Ivan Nova has emerged and has made an announcement without his voice, but instead his arm. "I am here to stay and I will help lead the New York Yankees."
(Photo: Getty/2010)
Last season, Ivan Nova was brand spanking new with the Yankees big club, and his numbers reflect that, 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 10 games. He walked 17 and struck out 26 in 42 innings. Not outstanding by any means but for a new kid, not horrible. The biggest thing for me last season was the way he handled himself on the mound. It was clear that he was unsure of himself, had no confidence and he appeared nervous. When men got on base, he fell apart and didn't know how to handle the batter, always thinking about the men on base. Those men usually came around to score. It bothered the crap out of me. Ironically, it sounds very familiar to veteran AJ Burnett these days, doesn't it?But something happened to Ivan Nova, he matured. When he went down to Scranton, he transformed and even though he probably shouldn't have gone, be came back stronger and in turn had nudged his way into where AJ Burnett currently calls home, the number 2 spot. This season, Nova is 13-4 wit ha 3.97 ERA. in 124.2 innings pitched, he has 74 strikeouts and 43 walks. He's allowed 129 hits and his WHIP is 1.380. He's managed prove to everyone, he's on a mission.

Bottom line, If CC Sabathia can become the dominant CC he has been all season and get out of his recent funk and if Nova continues to pitch well, that to me is a great start going into the playoffs. Then we need to hope Freddy Garcia comes back healthy, which he should and Bartolo Colon needs to stay durable and not breakdown. Finally, will Phil Hughes continue his 18 win days like last year finally? We hope so, his last few outings have looked real good. All this needs to happen and it will give us a shot.
(Photo: Getty)
Sadly, no one, and I mean no one is expecting much from AJ Burnett these days and it's sad the way it's unfolding but the bottom line is you have to deliver if you're in the Yankees rotation. He's not... Ivan Nova is. Let's hope it continues for Nova or we're about to have a serious problem going into the playoffs.

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