Which Pittsburgh Pirates Are Under Pressure The Next Two Weeks?

Sep 17, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) left fielder Adam Frazier (26) and right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) celebrate their 7-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) left fielder Adam Frazier (26) and right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) celebrate their 7-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
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Sep 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) pitches during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) pitches during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Starting pitcher Ivan Nova

On August 1st the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Ivan Nova from the New York Yankees. While with the Yankees, Nova was terrible. However, since coming to Pittsburgh he has been the Pirates’ best starting pitcher.

In nine starts as a Pirate Ivan Nova has pitched 55 1/3 innings and this includes a pair of complete games. In these 55 1/3 innings he has allowed 56 hits, four home runs, he has walked just three batters, and he has struck out 45 batters. This has led to Nova posting a 2.93 ERA, 2.67 FIP, and a 3.09 xFIP with the Pirates.

Why is there pressure on Ivan Nova?

Ivan Nova will most likely make two more starts for the Pirates this season. These will be Nova’s last two starts to impress teams across Major League Baseball before he hits free agency this offseason.

The starting pitching class in thus offseason’s free agent class is, to put it kindly, horrendous. Due to what he has done the past two months Ivan Nova is going to get absolutely paid this offseason. The better he pitches in the next two weeks, the more money he will make this offseason.

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