In an ideal world I would have liked to put together a full series preview, but the nebulous nature of the Blue Jays’ rotation these days made that a tedious task. Several reliable sources are reporting several different combinations of probable starters, but what I’ll post is what seems to be the consensus. Don’t shoot the messenger if Aaron Laffey makes a start at some point this weekend, though.

Tonight – Game 156: Ivan Nova (12-7, 4.94 ERA) vs. Brandon Morrow (8-7, 3.28 ERA)
7:07pm EST on YES 

Friday – Game 157: Hiroki Kuroda (14-11, 3.34 ERA) vs. Chad Jenkins (0-2, 4.24 ERA)
7:07pm EST on YES

Saturday – Game 158: Andy Pettitte (5-3, 2.71 ERA) vs. TBA according to MLB.com (I’m guessing Ricky Romero)
1:07pm EST on YES

Sunday – Game 159: Phil Hughes (16-13, 4.10 ERA) vs. Henderson Alvarez (9-14, 4.91 ERA)
1:07pm EST on YES

Even though this has been one of the more exciting Yankees’ Septembers in recent memory (for better or for worse), I still feel a tinge of sadness as I type things like “Game 159″ and it’s only a few days away. I’m just not ready for baseball to be over yet. The Yanks will close out the month of September in The Queen City, and if all goes well they’ll lump up the Jays in the same manner that the O’s did last night.

For me, the most important game of this series is the one we will watch tonight. Even though Ivan Nova is scheduled to make another start on the second to last day of the season, this game against the Jays may truly be his last chance to prove to Joe Girardi and the FO that he can cut it in October. Anything less than solid and we’re probably looking at a playoff rotation of CC, Hiroki, Andy, and Phil, with long man duty presumably going to Garcia, given his experience and relative success in that role this year. Ivan Nova said earlier this year that he was the best pitcher in baseball. I want to believe him. Or at least be able to humor him for a few starts.

The Orioles are enjoying an off day prior to their series with the Red Sox this weekend, making tonight even more important. A win would give the Yankees a 2 game lead with 6 to play for each team. After the last 25 days, a 2 game lead would feel cushy and result in a better night’s sleep than I’ve had in a while.

Finally, from the Always Root for Good Guys Department: R.A. Dickey will be going for his 20th win for the Mets this afternoon against the Pirates at CitiField, 1:10pm. I will usually catch a Mets’ game if their start time is significantly earlier or later than the Yanks’, but I’m not going to miss a minute of this one. I know wins aren’t necessarily a significant statistic, but it’s still an impressive milestone for a guy his age and his career arc pitching for a sub-.500 team. Furthermore, he seems like a genuinely goodhearted person, and I wish him the best. Many have described Dickey’s season as “magical”, but I prefer to credit his perseverance and admirable attitude in the face of life long adversity for his success.