ALDS Game 1: Ivan Nova Quickly Becoming a Superstar for the New York Yankees

In his first career playoff start, Yankees rookie Ivan Nova did more than impress during the Yankees' 9-3 win over the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the ALDS.

There is nobody who will question the fact that Ivan Nova has proven to be a dependable starter for the New York Yankees in 2011. As a rookie, Nova has posted a 16-4 record, with an ERA of 3.70.

You'd take Nova's numbers from any starter in your rotation, but when it comes from a rookie, it can make you downright giddy.

We all know that regular season success doesn't mean you'll be successful in the playoffs.  But then again, having a bad season doesn't mean you won't have a good postseason—just ask Scott Brosius.

In the playoffs, you can throw everything out the window from the regular season—it means absolutely nothing.

Ivan Nova is a rookie with a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders, something that might make most rookies crack. On top of that, being a starter for the New York Yankees is enough pressure in and of itself, let alone having the largest media in sports hounding you all season.

But through it all, Nova has handled himself very well. You haven't heard a single thing from him this entire season. No distractions or setbacks, just progress and success. Just looking at Nova's demeanor alone on a daily basis and you can say there is a certain something Nova has that keeps him calm in tight spots.

Now you can throw in his ALDS Game 1 start and you're beginning to see a trend. With a great playoff start last night—6.1 inning pitched, two runs on four hits with five strikeouts—it's all starting to come together.

With the way he made the Tigers' hitters looked and his calm demeanor on the mound, you would've thought it was just another Triple-A start and not a pressure-packed playoff debut.

The MLB Playoffs are the biggest stage in baseball, and just like in New York, if you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere. Nova is quickly propelling himself to stardom.

With the spotlight of New York shining on him, Nova is being pushed into the conversation with some of the best pitchers in baseball.

That's how fast it can happen if Nova continues to be a "big-game pitcher."

If Nova can answer the call as a whole this postseason, he'd be the most-watched Yankee star since that guy who plays shortstop for the Bombers. On top of that, like Jeter, Nova is homegrown, which makes his success that much more exciting.

There is nothing like becoming a legend in New York and a well-known star in the MLB. Nova has the chance to accomplish both of those things this season, and now it's all up to him to make it happen.

One thing's for certain: Nova is off to one hell of a start.

@michaelmoraitis