Nova Stinks up the Joint, Seriously

The Ivan Nova experience is beginning to get annoying. He has great starts like a stretch earlier in the season then he's awful and makes you cover your eyes. In his past several starts, and in his last two specifically, Nova has been god awful. In those two starts Nova has gone 10.1 innings and allowed twenty-one hits and sixteen earned runs. Those are atrocious statistics for someone who is supposed to be a sinker-ball pitcher. Overall, since the All-Star break Nova has allowed twenty-six earned runs in twenty-eight innings pitched. That comes out to an 8.36 ERA during the stretch. I communicated with Jack Curry during the game via Twitter about the possibility of Nova getting sent down to the minors due to his recent struggles. Curry replied that it was a legitimate question and to stay tuned to how the Yankees react to Nova's performances of late. As much as I love Ivan Nova as a pitcher, I believe he has shown that his mind wanders when he has to make pitches, a tell-tale sign that someone is too comfortable despite getting hit hard. Also, after his last start in which he gave up nine earned runs in five innings, Nova stated that he had good stuff and he felt that he hit his spots and had good command. Nova needs a mind check and a trip to the minors where he spent last June. It may help him re-gain his 2011 form.

Justin Verlander was his usual self tonight, going eight strong innings and allowing two runs, which were both unearned. He gave both runs up after a fielding error on a ground ball in the fifth inning to allow the Yankees to tie the game. Since then, Verlander did not give anything else to the Yankees. When the Yankees tied the game in the fifth, Nova should have buckled down. Instead, Nova gave up the lead and then some. You just can't do that when you are facing an ace. Couple that with a home plate umpire who did not even see the strike zone and your hitters will be very frustrated.

Tomorrow night, the Yankees need to win the game to avoid being down two games to none in the four game set. Taking three straight after this one would be a real confidence booster for the Yankees and one they desperately need after playing mediocre baseball over the last two weeks. Phil Hughes will start for the Yankees, looking for his twelfth win against Rick Porcello and the Tigers.