WHY THIS IS NOVA'S BIGGEST CAREER START

(photo:Andrew Theodorakis/Daily News)
I know Ivan Nova has made just a handful of starts in his young major league career, just 12 to be exact. But, with the Yankees losing their last three games against the Detroit Tigers, they are hungry for a victory. I'm not sure if Nova is quite up to it. I'm not saying he's not, but he can be a bit erratic at inopportune times.

This season Nova is 2-2 with an ERA of 5.14 which has dropped in his last two starts. In those last two starts, one against the Chicago White Sox, and the other against the Toronto Blue Jays--both at home--he went a career high 6.1 innings in both outings, while allowing one run against Chicago, and two against the 'Jays. But, in his one start against the Rangers this season, he lasted just 4.1 innings, allowing five runs and five walks. But, Nova has picked up momentum as we've seen his last two starts.Yes, Nova has pitched well at home in his last two outings. But his start on Friday against the Rangers on the road is an entirely different one. With the Tampa Bay Rays surging since their sluggish start to pull within one game of the American League East, the Yankees have to get off on a good note in Arlington. You do not want to drop four straight.

It's still early in the season, but the Yankees are facing adversity for the first time all season. How will they respond? How will the 24 year old Nova handle the pressure situation of pitching in the same ballpark that they saw the Rangers celebrate an American League Championship? This could be another giant step in the development for this young right hander if he dominates. Or it can be another learning curve if he has a start like he did last time against the Rangers. We'll be watching very closely.



--Jesse Schindler, BYB Staff Writer




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