What a rare opportunity for rookie pitcher Ivan Nova to make his mark in New York Yankees pinstripes, by making his Major League debut tonight vs. the heavy-hitting Toronto Blue Jays.
Getting called up from Scranton-Wilkes-Barre is every rookie’s goal, but to start against another AL East ball-club, in middle of a tight pennant race is a lot of pressure. Can Ivan Nova do his job?
The Yankees obviously have a lot of trust in Nova’s abilities. He has been an ace in Triple-A with a 12-3 record and 2.66 ERA.
Look for Nova to throw a newly acquired slider. The Yankees hope is the 23-year-old righty can throw a lot of strikes to keep the team in first place within the division.
The Toronto Blue Jays will counter with another youngster, 26-year-old Brandon Morrow.
On August 9th, Morrow threw 137 pitches, posting 17-strikeouts against the Tampa Bay Rays, just missing a no-hitter, which would have been the second in Blue Jays history. Morrow did record his first complete game and shutout, which is a huge accomplishment for the young righty.
Morrow has made three starts vs. New York in 2010, in which he is 1-0, allowing 11 earned runs, three home runs, four walks and striking out 24.
On the season, Morrow has a 9-8 record, posting a 4.45 ERA, allowing only 10 home runs, with 153 strikeouts over 131.1 innings pitched. He has to get his walks rate down which is currently at 60 in total.
Morrow will be extra careful with Jorge Posada and Brett Gardner who have hit him well this season. Also, any pitcher facing Robinson Cano is aware that he has been a monster with the bat.
MY PREDICTION:
Nova vs. Morrow will be a no-decision, and the Yankees will win 5-2.
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