Oakland @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 7, 2010 ) NY Yankees 6, Oakland 2
Suddenly the New York Yankees have options in their starting rotation. Ivan Nova notched his first major league victory on Sunday and Andy Pettitte is getting close to making his return.
The AL East-leading Yankees open a four-game series against the Oakland Athletics on Monday night. Dustin Moseley, another hurler who has fared well in his brief time in the rotation, makes the start against rising star Trevor Cahill.
Nova made his second start for the Yankees on Sunday, allowing one run and five hits while striking out seven in 5 1/3 innings.
Nova, who also pitched well but didn't figure in the decision last week against the Toronto Blue Jays, is reportedly being investigated by Major League Baseball for injecting B12 with another minor leaguer. While B12 is not banned, the report said that the league wanted to make sure that it was indeed a vitamin shot that was administered.
While it is unlikely the Nova would get a playoff start or even a spot on the postseason roster at this time, he did make the most of his opportunity. New York originally skipped Javier Vazquez in the rotation as much to give Nova a shot as it was to give the struggling hurler some added rest.
Meanwhile, Pettitte threw 35 pitches in the bullpen before Sunday's game and reported no discomfort from a groin pull that has sidelined him since July 19. Pettitte said his arm was nearly perfect and only questioned his stamina. The Yankees feel he could return to the mound in a couple of weeks.
Pettitte threw all his pitches in the side session and may not make a rehab start. New York has targeted a date around Sept. 12 for his return.
Sergio Mitre originally replaced Pettitte in the rotation, but pitched poorly in his first outing and Moseley has been there ever since. Moseley has won his last two starts and is 1-1 lifetime against the Athletics.
Oakland will begin the series with its hottest pitcher. The A's have won two straight series on its 10-game road trip and proclaimed themselves still alive in the AL West.
Oakland trails Texas by 7 1/2 games after winning two of three games against the Rangers over the weekend. The A's had their incredible stretch of quality starts ended recently.
Cahill is an outsider in the American League Cy Young Award race, but just the fact that he's in the discussion with CC Sabathia (New York), David Price (Tampa Bay Rays) and Clay Buchholz (Boston Red Sox) proves how well he's been pitching.
Cahill has won five of his last six decisions and is second in the American League to Buchholz with a 2.43 ERA. He has faced the Yankees just once, dropping a 6-1 outing earlier in the season.
Mark Teixeira, who missed Sunday's game with a bruised thumb, is questionable for the Yankees on Monday.