Ivan Nova (5-4, 3.08 ERA) and the Yanks are back from their road trip to take on Rick Porcello (8-6, 4.28 ERA) and the Tigers. Nova earned the win against the Padres on August 3rd tossing seven shutout innings, allowing four hits and fanning eight. He is 0-2 with an 8.83 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against the Tigers. “I’ve been feeling really good,” Nova said. “Like I’ve said in the past, I don’t remember the last time I felt the way I feel now. I’m working hard to try to repeat it every time. I’m trying to go out there and do my job, try to help the team to win games.”
Porcello is 4-0 with a 1.87 ERA over his last five starts, having allowed seven runs over 33 innings. He’s consistently working deeper into games, including 7 2/3 innings of one-run ball on Sunday against the White Sox.
Alex Rodriguez was showered with boos on the road, but he is finally returning home to Yankee Stadium on Friday. The last time Rodriguez faced Detroit, he struggled in the American League Championship Series last October leading to Joe Girardi to benching him. “I am curious what it’s going to be like Friday,” Girardi said of ARod’s first game in the Bronx since his 211 game suspension was announced. “I’m not sure. And I don’t really know what the appropriate response is. I don’t think it’s my right to tell people how to respond to certain situations.”
After spending 7 1/2 seasons in the National League, Alfonso Soriano is still adjusting to pitchers he isn’t familiar with. “I have to adjust more to the pitchers that are brand new to me,” Soriano said. “I know we played Interleague games, but most of the AL pitchers, I don’t know those guys, so I have to make adjustments with those pitchers.” Soriano is batting .244 with two home runs and six RBIs in 11 games with the Yankees after going 2-3 with a two run homer on Wednesday. “Maybe if I see a couple pitches, maybe five or six pitches, I’m more comfortable. The more pitches I see, I feel more comfortable.” Soriano is one hit away from becoming the 16th active player to reach 2,000 career hits.
First pitch at 7:05 PM (EST) on Yes.
