Ivan Nova (4-2, 3.63 ERA) starts off the four game set against Yu Darvish (8-4, 3.02 ERA) and the Rangers. Nova has made four career start against Texas, combining for a 2-1 record with a 5.09 ERA. He earned the victory in his only career start against them at Rangers Ballpark on May 6, 2011, allowing a run on two hits in 7 1/3 innings.
Darvish is coming off the DL with fatigue in his right trapezius muscle. He is 1-3 with a 3.07 ERA in his last nine starts. That includes a no decision against the Yankees on June 25 when he allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings in a 4-3 Texas loss.
Alex Rodriquez was scheduled to make his season debut tonight in Arlington, but a Grade 1 quad strain will keep him sidelined through this week’s series. “He basically called it some stiffness. From what I understood, from talking to him, he didn’t feel like he pulled anything,” Joe Girardi said. “We don’t want to get in a situation where we call him up for a day, he plays a few innings, and then it’s more than what you think it is.”
Even though the Yankees won’t have Rodriguez, or the rest of their injured stars on Monday, Rangers manager Ron Washington said it is still a lineup to be feared. “It doesn’t matter who is wearing those pinstripes they always come to win, and that’s the way they go about their business. It doesn’t matter the personnel. They’re the Yankees. They know how to win.” Let’s hope he is right.
Game kicks off at 7:05 PM (EST) on Yes & ESPN.
