ALCS Rematch

The Rangers are stopping in the Bronx on their road trip for a three game set beginning tonight.  The Rangers are 9-3 this season, but only 3-3 on the road.  The last time these two teams faced off was ALCS game 6, when the Rangers won the American League pennant.  Tonight's matchup is between Ivan Nova for the Yankees and Matt Harrison for the Rangers.  Neither of tonight's pitchers  on the postseason roster.

Matt Harrison:  Harrison is the Rangers young lefty who has started the season hot.  He is now 2-0 after his previous start last Saturday against the Orioles where he pitched 7 total innings allowing only 1 run on 2 hits.

Last season, Harrison pitched both in the bullpen and as a starter.  He didn't make the postseason team as he ended the season as a starter goiong 3-2 with a 4.71 ERA.  He made 37 total appearances in 2010 with 6 starts.

Of those 6 starts, 2 of them were against the Yankees.  Harrison went 1-1 in his starts against the Yankees.  His ERA against the Yanks last season was 7.53 over 5 games, 2 of which were starts.

Ivan Nova: Nova is starting for the Yankees tonight and is looking to improve on his previous start in Boston last Saturday.  Last week, he had a rough outing but was able to keep the game manageable for the Yankees to win.  In Boston, he allowed 4 runs over 4 and a third innings.  He constantly allowed baserunners but managed to get himself out of jams.

Nova is now 1-0 on the season with a 6.10 ERA.  Nova needs to keep his fastball down, and he should be OK tonight.  He is still a rookie as has trouble the second or third time through a batting order, but on the bright side Josh Hamilton is injured and won't be taking him deep.