Now, this is getting serious.

Not for the postseason, mind you -- making two assumptions, that the Yankees will get that far and that Andy Pettitte will be fit to pitch. In that case, Ivan Nova would probably not make the starting rotation for the playoffs.

But there are 54 games left to play in the regular season -- meaning probably 10 more starts for Nova. And if Joe Girardi can be believed, Nova is going to make them all.

Can you live with that?

In case you missed it, here is my column from last night's 7-2 loss to the Tigers -- the second straight in which Nova got bashed around, and the fifth since the All-Star break in which he has looked, frankly, not very good.

Although his velocity is there -- he hit 95 mph on what might have been a generous radar gun at Comerica Park -- Nova left way too many pitches over the plate, did not work inside enough, and had little or no bite on his slider, his one true swing-and-miss pitch.

With a 5 1/2 game lead in the AL East, the Yankees can afford to let Nova try to work out his problems for another start or two. But after that, things could get sticky. And even without a waiver deal between now and Aug. 31, they do have a viable alternative in David Phelps, who has been lights-out coming out of the bullpen.

Even though Girardi has the disturbing tendency of doing what he wants to do with his team regardless of suggestions by you, me or anyone else, it does lead to a pretty obvious Question of the Day: Can you handle a new episode of Ivan and his Dislocated Slider every five days? Or would you rather see Phelps take over that spot? Let us know in the comments section below.

Up now: My aforementioned column on last night's game.

Coming soon: A What2Watch4 on tonight's matchup by the estimable Mark Simon later this morning. Also, another episode of "Bombers Beat," starring the one and only Andrew Marchand, who will discuss the continuing saga of Manny Banuelos. Followed by the clubhouse opening at 3:35 p.m. in advance of tonight's 7:05 start. Phil Hughes (11-8, 3.96) faces RHP Rick Porcello (8-6, 4.65) in Game 2 of this four-game series.