ALDS Schedule 2011: New York Yankees Season Will Blow Up with Ivan Nova

The New York Yankees’ season rests once again on an unproven arm, but this time it will be a loss their starter faces instead of a victory.

Game 4 of the American League Divisional Series between the Yankees and the Detroit Tigers was won by enigmatic pitcher A.J. Burnett, but New York will lose when they go to the well again with Ivan Nova.

Don’t get me wrong—Nova had an amazing season, but he hasn’t faced the kind of pressure he will feel against the Tigers in the deciding game of the series.

While the pressure may be too much to take as it draws closer, Nova told ESPN New York about his Game 5 start on Thursday:

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I don't usually get nervous. I just have fun. It is going to be fun. I just have to be confident and relaxed and do my job.

"

While all of Nova’s talk is nice, if the Tigers start hitting him around early, expect the Yankees to pull him out of the game immediately and substitute in their ace, CC Sabathia.

Sabathia has said that he is available, and New York will have no problem handing the ball to their ace if things get out of control. While it’s obvious they don’t want that to happen, they are prepared for anything, and their experience in the playoffs will allow them to make the right choice.

All of this is a great plan for the Yankees, but people forget that the Detroit Tigers are going to pounce on Nova early, and even CC Sabathia can’t help if the Tigers get four runs in the first inning.

No matter what happens, I just don’t see Nova factoring in the decision unless it’s him picking up the loss.

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