The Rays series comes to a close on Old Timers Day with Ivan Nova (2-1 5.16 ERA) back in the Bronx looking to win the series against Chris Archer (1-3, 5.03 ERA). Nova makes his return to the Yankees after Phil Hughes start was pushed back a day due to Tuesday’s rainout against the Dodgers. In his last big league outing on May 29, Nova threw five frames of one run relief. He’s 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA in Triple-A this year. After todays start there is no definitive plan for Nova, “we don’t really have a plan,” Joe Girardi said. “We’ll see what happens.”
Archer lost for the second consecutive time on Tuesday against Boston after allowing three runs on five hits and five walks in 4 2/3 innings. Since being recalled from the minors, in four starts he has gotten past the fifth inning just once. “At times, I’m pounding the zone, strike one, strike two. And then the other times, I’m ball one, ball two,” Archer said. “We just reviewed some video, just some minor tweaks. Things that Hickey’s really good at seeing and doing with everybody. We’ve just been implementing them throughout the week. And it’s been going well.”
Zoilo Almonte has turned heads this weekend. The longtime Minor Leaguer went 3-for-4 with a home run in Friday night’s win over the Rays. He added a two-run single and an RBI walk in Saturday’s win. “Some guys just take a little bit longer than others,” Girardi said. “Sometimes it can be a little bit more difficult for a switch-hitter, because you talk about getting so many at-bats for a player, but you’ve got to do it for both sides in a sense. I’ve been around guys that have been in the big leagues at 21, 22 and I’ve been around guys that haven’t gotten there until they’re 27, 28. So it’s just kind of a timing thing.”
Game kicks off at 2:05 PM (EST) on Yes & TBS
