I’ve never really bought into the whole “momentum is only as good as tomorrow’s starting pitcher” thing, but if it is true, the Yankees are in great shape tonight. They’ve won three straight games and four of their last five, and tonight they’re giving the ball to Ivan Nova.
Nova has been the club’s second best starting pitcher since the start of July, and not only because three of the other four members of the rotation has stunk. He’s got a 1.60 ERA and 2.46 ERA in six starts since officially rejoining the rotation, and tonight he’ll be shooting for his seventh straight start of at least seven innings. CC Sabathia has done that three times, but the last Yankee to do it before him was David Cone in 1998. Here’s the lineup that will look to build off last night’s 14-run outburst and claw its way back into the playoff race against Jered Weaver:
- CF Brett Gardner
- RF Ichiro Suzuki
- 2B Robinson Cano
- 3B Alex Rodriguez
- DH Curtis Granderson
- LF Alfonso Soriano
- 1B Lyle Overbay
- SS Eduardo Nunez
- C Chris Stewart
And on the mound is Nova, one of the few legitimately positive long-term developments to come from this otherwise forgettable season. It would be really great if he has indeed turned the corner and shaken off the struggles he had from Opening Day 2012 through June 2013.
The weather in New York is absolutely gorgeous. Not too hot, not too humid, no clouds, no chance of rain … it’s a perfect spring summer day. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm ET and can be seen on YES. Enjoy.
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