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Phillies Opposition Roadblock: Pittsburgh Pirates

By Mike Azzalina

May 18, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Maikel Franco (7) runs the bases after hitting a home run during the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Maikel Franco (7) runs the bases after hitting a home run during the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 9, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) throws the ball in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) throws the ball in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

The Pitcher: Ivan Nova

Ivan Nova will get the nod for the Pirates on Saturday afternoon and he is easily the steadiest of the three starters this weekend. A former Yankee, Nova is in his first full season with Pittsburgh. In eleven starts after being traded last season, he was 5-2 with a 3.06 ERA and three complete games.

This season, Nova is off to a great start. After eight games, he sports a 2.48 ERA that is not reflected in his 3-3 record thus far. More impressive is his 33 strikeouts and 4 walks in 56.1 innings (8-1). The righty has only allowed five homers early this season. For me, the most impressive stat is that he is yet to have a start less than six innings, and only one start with more than three earned runs. In five of his starts, he has given up two or less earned runs. He also boasts a complete game shutout against the Marlins at the end of the April.

It will be interesting to see if Michael Saunders’ groin injury sidelines him for the weekend. If not, the lefty is 3-9 with two doubles against Nova. The only other two who have more than six at bats against him are Daniel Nava and Howie Kendrick. Both have four hits against the 30-year-old.

The lack of numbers elsewhere makes sense only because he only has two starts against the Phils. He is 1-0 in those games with a 0.71 ERA. However, it explains why the rest of the roster has limited at bats against him.

Most of Nova’s strikeouts come off his curveball, a pitch he has used effectively this season. Hitters are only batting .152 against it. However, everything comes off his fastball. If he gets ahead with it, he can bury opponents with that curveball. He will mix in a two-seamer to lefties and the occasional changeup as well, but fastball-curveball is where he will live.

Next: Phillies-Pirates: Five things to watch for

Nova is not quite the pitcher Yu Darvish is, but if he is able to settle in, it could spell trouble for the Phillies on Saturday afternoon.

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