FORT MYERS, Fla. — If you go just by the numbers, on Sunday Ivan Nova lost some of his big lead over CC Sabathia in the race for the Yankees’ fifth starter job.
Nova allowed four runs in 4 1⁄3 innings in the Yankees’ 6-4 win over the Twins at Hammond Stadium. His ERA rose from 2.00 to 4.05. He gave up five hits, walked three and struck out two.
Sabathia has an ERA of 7.36. All things being equal, he would seem to have the edge because of his track record, his lefthandedness and his $25-million salary.