The theory I’ve been operating under when it comes to Ivan Nova is that he’s as much a mystery to the Yankees as he was to opposing batters in the second half. His post-exile 8-0, 3.18 ERA record was built on control and some light ground-ball induction, with a strikeout rate that was well below ...

Ivan Nova's midseason reinvention helped him emerge as the Yankees' second-best starter in the second half, and the man to whom they'll turn in Game Five of the Division Series against the Tigers. (AP) When Ivan Nova was sent down to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in early July, it wasn’t because ...

The next mayor of New York City? (AP) Amid the anxiety, danger, and general inconvenience caused by Hurricane Irene — and here’s hoping you and your loved ones emerged safe and sound — the Yankees have had a frustrating three days in Baltimore. From the squabbling over the schedule to the most ...

I'm just going to keep using this image of A.J. Burnett. (AP) Not sure what caused more shaking around here, this afternoon’s earthquake tremor or Brian Cashman saying that there are “no guarantees” that A.J. Burnett remains in the rotation after his next start. That’s quite the turnaround ...

Beyond CC Sabathia, identifying the best Yankee starters based upon quality of opponents is a difficult task. As I’m on the road three time zones away, I haven’t seen very much live Yankees baseball since last Wednesday, but I couldn’t help notice the way A.J. Burnett’s latest ...

Phil Hughes wasn't sharp enough on Wednesday to se the Yankees' minds at ease. (AP) On an afternoon that featured three big deadline-oriented deals and an Ervin Santana no-hitter, Phil Hughes scuffling was not news. On the contrary, it was easy to see from a mile away that the 25-year-old right ...

Last night, A.J. Burnett allowed 14 baserunners in 5.1 innings, yet allowed only four runs. In some quarters this will be viewed as a triumph. Yet, his runs allowed per nine rose to 4.62 in a year in which the average American League starting pitcher has allowed only 4.29. This doesn’t quite rise to ...

Ivan Nova's recent woes have caused some headaches, though remedies are at hand. (AP) CC Sabathia and Bartolo Colon have since provided literal and figurative distance from Ivan Nova’s 3.2-inning start against the Mariners on Saturday, but the dissatisfaction over Nova’s recent work is ...

Curtis Granderson has swatted more homers since last August 14 than any player except Jose Bautist and Troy Tulowitzki. (AP) I spent a lovely Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium covering the Bronx Bombers’ 5-2 win over the Blue Jays. Today at Baseball Prospectus (in front of the pay wall, even), ...

Fo' sheezy, my neezy, he keeps his arm so breezy. (AP) It’s early, it was just one game, and it left him with a 4.50 ERA, but it was hard not to be impressed with Ivan Nova on Monday night. After strong Spring Training which saw him claim the fourth spot in the Yankee rotation with ease, highlighted ...

Oliver Perez: Here comes ball 17... 23... 28... 37... (AP) Oliver Perez was released by the Mets today, the most unsurprising move since the Russo-German non-aggression pact was broken. The next unsurprising news you will hear is that the Yankees have taken a look at him. I don’t expect they really ...

Diet Pepsi Super-Nova Nova Apologies for being on the quiet side this week. Sometimes life hits you with a perfect storm of distractions, impediments, and nagging clowns that sap your ability to sit down and compose a few words. Throw in a bout of insomnia and a young son suffering from an acute stomach ...