Ivan Nova version 3.0

The last time Ivan Nova was the subject of a post here, he was shown being helped off the mound with an arm injury. The Yankees prized 2011 rookie had a poor second-half in '12 and then seemingly fell off the table at the beginning of this season. But since regaining his health -- and a spot in the majors after being farmed out to Scranton -- he's been more and more impressive. And today (Saturday), was his best outing yet -- his first complete game shutout in the majors. In the pressure-packed atmosphere of a pennant race, with the Yankees on the outside and looking in for a wild card, Nova held the hard-hitting Orioles to three hits and a walk.
So why tab him version 3.0? Retracing his career, he's been an impressive rookie, enigmatic young veteran -- and now, bright young hope on a club where outside of Andy Pettitte, the club's other key starters, Hiroki Kuroda and CC Sabathia, have stumbled of late. So this upgrade on Nova couldn't have been more timely.

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