tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Nova Stakes His Claim & Look Into October Begins Tonight

Ivan Nova has given the Yankee high command a lot to think about with an outstanding pitching performance last night as he went 7 2/3 innings and struck out 10 as the Yanks swept the White Sox with a 7-2 win. Nova has pitched outstanding as he was on a four game winning streak before he was sent down to Scranton. It would be tremendously unfair to send this kid back down again as he has pitched well since the call up and deserves to be up with the big club. What kind of message does this send to the rest of the farm system when you see Nova perform the way he has only to be moved back down to AAA?

The Yankees would be wise to let the next few days play out before making any kind of decision. Beginning tonight, the Blood Rivalry begins at Fenway Park with both teams tied for first place. Bartolo Colon will face Jon Lester tonight and as I pointed out earlier this week, Colon has not done well against the American League heavyweights. Lester has dominated the Yankees this year so it will be up to Colon to keep things under control until the Yanks can scratch out some runs.

On Sunday night, its Josh Beckett against Freddy Garcia on ESPN. Will Garcia be able to match Beckett on the big stage?? The answer to that question along with how Colon performs should be weighed when making a decision about Nova. The final piece that needs to be considered is on Tuesday when Phil Hughes faces the Angels back at Yankee Stadium. Will he be able to build off of his good start against the White Sox or will he take a step backwards??

I don't believe that either Colon, Garcia and Hughes should have a guaranteed spot in the starting rotation. Unfortunately, AJ Burnett should not have a guaranteed spot either but there are $62 million reasons why he does. The easiest decision would be to put Hughes in the bullpen since he has performed well there in the past. However, he is a guy who the Yankees penned as a top of the rotation starter. Colon, with his fast ball, could be a bullpen candidate but I'm not sure. In the end, Ivan Nova belongs and the Yankees will have to figure out how to keep him up in the Bronx.
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The Yankees are 1-8 against the Red Sox and are still tied for first place in the AL East. There is a big difference in being the division champ as opposed to being a wild card entrant into the postseason. The Yankees have never advanced to the World Series as a wild card team.

The Red Sox have their own pitching problems however they have two of their aces going this weekend against the two 30-something wonders that Brian Cashman signed early this year. We will find out whether Colon and Garcia will be able to handle the playoff-like atmosphere that they will face in Boston. The Yankees need to reassert themselves. They need to send a message to the Red Sox that they are able to stand toe-to-toe with them. As I have stated many times, if the season record was 5-4 Boston, the Yanks would be 3 games up.

Tonight will have an October feel to it and we will begin to learn if the bargain basement acquisitions of Brian Cashman will be able to rise to the occasion. We will also begin to learn if this team is built to win in October or if they are built just to make the playoffs. There is a big difference. Stay tuned.