Thoughts on Nova, Pettitte

If it weren’t for a base-running mistake by Carl Crawford, the Yankees could have lost game in which they had a 6-0 lead and fallen a game-and-a-half out of first place.

Super Nova’d:
Ivan Nova cruised through the first four innings using 50 pitches last night, but the third time through the order he fell apart. He allowed five of his six hits in the inning, including a first-pitch homer to Carlos Pena, a double and three singles.

It would’ve been extremely impressive for Nova to complete five innings of shutout ball against the second-best team in baseball. I wonder if he had a different mindset pitching with a six-run lead. I knew I would. However, I usually felt more comfortable with a lead and was less likely to lose my stuff.

Pettitte’s Rehab:
Here’s what you need to know about Andy Pettitte’s rehab start for the Trenton Thunder last night:

“I'll pitch Sunday in Baltimore,” Pettitte told reporters after his start in Altoona, Pa. “That will give me three starts.”

Well, that’s not all you need to know. Joe Girardi hasn’t announced Sunday’s starter yet, and that’s really what it comes down too.

“That's something we'll have to discuss, see how he feels,” Girardi said.

Great.

Yankees-Rays series preview: Battle of the Titans!

If Alex Rodriguez was waiting for a good time to break into the 600s, this would be the weekend to do it. A-Rod and the first-place Yanks will face some of the toughest pitching in the league this weekend, as they take on the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.

The Rays held a share of the division lead through June 19, but the Yankees sped past them at the end of the month and have used an 18-6 run in July to maintain a two-game lead.

The Red Sox haven’t been able to keep pace and have drifted to 7.5 games behind, making the AL East a two-team race until further notice.

Head to Head:
The Yankees started the second half with a series win over the Rays to tie the season series at 4. After this weekend, these two teams meet twice more at each other’s homes in the middle of September.

Pitching Matchups:

Date:	Yankees starters	Rays starters
Fri., 7:10 p.m.	Phil Hughes (12-3, 4.04)	Wade Davis (8-9, 4.32)
Sat., 7:10 p.m.	J. Vazquez (9-7, 4.54)	Matt Garza (11-5, 4.06)
Sun., 1:40 p.m.	CC Sabathia (13-4, 3.15)	James Shields (9-9, 4.79)

Players to Watch:
Yankees: Alex Rodriguez. He’s still sitting on 599 homers. There’s a reason all three games this weekend at the Trop are sold out.

Rays: Carlos Pena. A .216 hitter for the year who is hitting .304/.429/.696 with three homers and eight RBIs over his last seven games scares me. That man is Carlos Pena.

Prediction:
The Rays are winners of their last six, but the only way they can take their spot atop the East back is with a sweep. With the Yankees’ three top starters going this weekend, I don’t foresee that happening. But I will give the Rays the benefit of the doubt because Mr. Garza is coming off his no-hitter. Rays take two out of three, most likely tonight and tomorrow.

Teixeira making strides for MVP candidacy

In the first inning of the first game yesterday, the league leader in home runs, Carlos Pena, had to leave the game after CC Sabathia’s inside fastball broke two of Pena’s fingers. Pena is out for the season. This is important for Mark Teixeira’s run at the AL home run and RBI crowns.

Teixeira blasted two home runs in the second game, giving him 35 homers and 106 RBIs on the season. He leads another Rays infielder, Evan Longoria, in RBIs by four, and trails Pena by four homers.

With Pena’s injury, Teixeira has a good chance to lead the league in home runs and RBIs — two of the three categories in the triple crown.

Most of the baseball world is viewing Joe Mauer as the frontrunner for the AL MVP Award. Yes, his percentages are remarkable, but it would be tough to look past Teixeira if he leads in homers and RBIs.

MVP Note: A lot of Yankees fans see Derek Jeter as the best MVP candidate in pinstripes. I agree, he should definitely be involved in the discussion, but unfortunately Teixeira belongs in the discussion too.

Meaning: there is a good chance the two players will be stealing each other’s votes, and neither will win the MVP. Hopefully the same thing happens with Mauer and Justin Morneau. But we’ll see.