Monumental showdown in the Bronx

Now it's on. Time for the Yankees to cut out the nonsense and take care of winning the division and getting home field until the World Series, when the National League gains a one-game edge by winning the All-Star game.

Tonight's first of four games against second-place Tampa Bay can be won on emotion alone--the unveiling of George Steinbrenner's monument and Joe Torre's return to Yankee Stadium.  By the way, if the Red Sox were in the Rays' position right now,  I'm sure all of this this pomp would have be pushed to the weekend series with Boston.  

If team spirit is not enough, give the benefit of the doubt to young Ivan Nova, who has just about guaranteed a victory.  Nova (1-0, 4.30) was pasted  for six runs over 4 2/3 innings in his last start against the Rays. That will not happen tonight, if only because manager Joe Girardi will not leave him in long enough for a meltdown. 

Tampa starter Matt Garza (14-8, 3.81) can go either way. He has a 12.00 ERA in his last two outings--he gave up six run on nine hits against the Yankees last week--but he was 4-0 with a 0.99 ERA before his recent troubles.  

With Torre's presence and the Steinbrenner monument serving as inspiration, expect the Yanks take the opener and move 1 1/2 games ahead of Tampa Bay in the AL East.