"Ivan Nova screamed into his glove as Robinson Cano's relay throw completed a double play that got the Yankees out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning. Nova was only celebrating the narrow escape, but his happy howl could just as easily serve to commemorate all the progress he's made in his first full year in the majors.

And after yet another terrific outing in the Yankees' 5-0 victory over the Rays in front of 46,944 at the Stadium, Nova may have more rejoicing to do, like when the Yanks announce their postseason rotation. After all, how can he not be the No. 2 starter in the playoffs when he's pitching like this?

"I don't know about the October rotation," Nova said after throwing 7-2/3 scoreless innings and allowing only six hits. "I just know about the season right now, that we're almost in it. I have another start, one more, so we've got to win and wait. I've never been in the postseason before in the big leagues. There are a lot of things that come in next.""