PITTSBURGH _ When manager Clint Hurdle first met Ivan Nova, he was struck by his size. The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder looked large on film, but film didn't do him justice.
"Anybody can look big," Hurdle said. "You put your arms on a guy and you can feel the shoulder muscle around his neck, you feel his arms."
Nova also impressed Hurdle with the late life on his fastball, the movement on his breaking ball and the knowledge he freely shared with the rest of the staff. Seven seasons with the New York Yankees had put him through the wars of the AL East, seven seasons in hitter's ballparks against good lineups, and he had some insights as a result.
Nova allowed 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball in his final start as a Pirate, which, because of rain, was suspended and ended in a 1-1 tie with the Chicago Cubs. The Pirates finish with a 38-42-1 home record after winning at least 50 games at home in the past three seasons.
Stephen Strasburg's extension with the Washington Nationals removed the elite starter from this winter's group of free agents. No sure things remain. In addition to Nova, Brett Anderson, Andrew Cashner, Jeremy Hellickson and Rich Hill make up the known commodities.
Nova's agent understands this. That's why, when the Pirates initially made an offer (of an unknown amount) in early September on an extension, Nova's representatives countered by saying they were thinking of a deal in the range of five years and $70 million. The Pirates made another offer, also of unknown amount.
In 11 starts since the Pirates acquired Nova from the Yankees for two minor leaguers, he posted a 3.06 ERA in 642/3 innings, with 52 strikeouts and only three walks. If the Pirates feel like they've been here before, it's because they have. In 11 starts after the Pirates traded for J.A. Happ last season, the left-hander had a 1.85 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings. He turned that into three years and $36 million from the Toronto Blue Jays; the Pirates, after failing to sign him, did not adequately upgrade their rotation, a major reason why they regressed this year.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon sent out a lineup reminiscent of a split-squad spring training game. Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist and Dexter Fowler got the night off. But for the Cubs, this last week of the season resembles spring training. They're preparing for a more meaningful set of games: In this case, the playoffs. They'll face the winner of the NL wild-card game.
The Pirates' next three games will mean much more to their opponent. They begin a three-game series against the Cardinals in St. Louis Friday. Prior to Thursday's games, the Cardinals trailed the San Francisco Giants, who held the second wild-card spot, by a game. The New York Mets led the Giants by 1{ games.
