On Sunday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone unveiled the team’s pitching rotation for the first four games of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the Cleveland Guardians. Carlos Rodon, the veteran left-hander, will start Game 1 on Monday, followed by ace Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil for the next three games.
Boone acknowledged that choosing Rodon to open the Yankees’ series wasn’t an easy decision. Both Rodon and Schmidt were considered for the crucial Game 1 start at Yankee Stadium, but the coaching staff ultimately opted for the more seasoned Rodon to set the tone in the best-of-seven series.
Despite Rodon’s struggles in his most recent outing, where he was pulled in the fourth inning, Boone expressed confidence in his ability to deliver a strong performance. The Yankees manager pointed to Rodon’s solid start earlier in the postseason as a positive indicator and hopes the lefty can rebound on the big stage.
“Just felt like it was close,’’ the Yankees manager said on Sunday. “He’s a really good pitcher. For him struggling there and getting knocked out in his last outing in the fourth, also feel like came out throwing the ball really well in his first big experience. Hopefully, it’s something he can take from that outing that allows him to really break through and have that outing we know he’s capable of.”
After Rodon, Cole will take the mound for Game 2 on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. Following a travel day, Schmidt is slated to pitch Game 3 in Cleveland on Thursday, with Gil making his postseason debut in Game 4 on Friday.
Boone explained the Yankees’ decision to keep Rodon in the Game 1 slot, ensuring the pitcher stays in rhythm. The alternative—holding Rodon until Game 3—would have led to an extended layoff, which the coaching staff wanted to avoid. With this plan, Rodon is also in line to pitch a potential Game 5 in Cleveland.
Yankees expect Rodon to flourish with Bronx frenzy
Rodon has served as the Yankees’ No. 2 starter throughout the season after being signed in free agency, a move aimed at giving the team a powerful one-two punch alongside Cole for a pivotal playoff series. While Schmidt and Gil have shown promise, their relative inexperience in high-stakes postseason games made Rodon the clear choice for Game 1.
Yankees’ Boone voiced confidence in Carlos Rodon’s form ahead of his next start, pointing to the left-hander’s current momentum. Boone noted that Rodon’s prior playoff experience at Yankee Stadium and the emotions that come with it could work to his advantage.
“There was debate,’’ the Yankees manager admitted. “But felt like Carlos was the guy. I think he’s in a really good spot, throwing the ball well,” Boone said. “Hopefully going through his first playoff game here in the Bronx and experiencing all the emotions that you do, there’s something that serves him well in this next time.”
Rodon’s last postseason appearance came in Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals. While he was sharp through the first three innings, things unraveled in the fourth. The Yankees pitcher was tagged for four earned runs and seven hits, failing to complete the inning after 3.2 innings of work.
Looking back on that outing, Rodon acknowledged that his early innings were strong, with his pitches showing the power and effectiveness expected of him. However, he pointed to a key at-bat against Royals catcher Salvador Perez in the fourth inning as a turning point. Perez, known for his success against left-handers, connected for a solid hit, which Rodon admitted briefly threw him off his game. He said his focus wavered as he tried to preserve the Yankees’ slim one-run lead, a lapse that proved costly.
“If I look back at that start, the first three innings went pretty well. My stuff was there, was pretty electric,” the Yankees pitcher told to reporters in the Bronx. “I think going into the fourth, I knew I had a tough at-bat against Salvador Perez, who notoriously has done well against me and hits lefties really well. His numbers are pretty good, so I knew that at-bat was coming up. … We had a one-run lead and I wanted a shut-down that inning, and he made a good swing and it kind of brought me out of focus just a tick. I didn’t want to give up that run there and I knew that at-bat was important.”
Rodon is keenly aware that keeping his emotions in check will be crucial, especially given the electric atmosphere expected at Yankee Stadium in the heart of October.
Boone noted that the playoff environment would be intense, with the cool autumn weather adding to the classic postseason feel. With the stakes high and a World Series berth on the line for the Yankees, Boone acknowledged the significance of this round, while also referencing the history between many of the players involved. He predicted an energetic crowd and a thrilling playoff atmosphere for the upcoming game.
“Look, I’m sure Yankee Stadium is going to be rocking [Monday] night,” he said. “It looks like cooler weather is rolling in for these next two games, so it’s going to have that October feel to it. We’re now in the round playing for a chance to win a pennant and go to the World Series. It’s going to be an awesome atmosphere. Obviously, we have some history with a lot of guys over there in the playoffs, so I’m sure it will be a great environment.”
Rodon an old hand vs. Guardians
Carlos Rodon, the Yankees’ marquee offseason acquisition, signed a six-year, $162 million deal, earning $27 million annually through 2028. With that hefty investment comes high expectations, as the Yankees look for the 31-year-old left-hander to showcase his elite talent and play a pivotal role in their championship push.
The Yankees pitcher emphasized the importance of setting the tone in the series opener, expressing excitement to pitch again and soak in the electric atmosphere at Yankee Stadium. He’s eager to put his team in the best position to win.
“Game 1 sets the tone,” he said. “I’m looking forward to being out there again, feeling the energy and giving my team the best chance to win.”
Having spent years facing Cleveland as a member of the White Sox in the AL Central, Rodon is no stranger to the Guardians. Although he didn’t pitch against them this season, he has kept a close eye on their progress. From the opposing dugout, the Yankees star noted that Cleveland’s lineup has become increasingly dangerous, making them a tougher opponent than in previous years.
Rodon highlighted the threat posed by Jose Ramirez, calling him one of the game’s elite switch-hitters and a central figure in Cleveland’s offense. He also praised Steven Kwan for his ability to hit both left- and right-handed pitchers and for extending at-bats with his patient approach. Acknowledging the overall strength of Cleveland’s roster, Rodon expressed respect for the team, recognizing their presence in the ALCS as a testament to their quality.
The Yankees pitcher is determined to apply lessons from his last postseason appearance, where he struggled in Game 2 of the ALDS. In that game, he allowed four runs over 3 2/3 innings in a 4-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals.
Reflecting on that performance, Rodon admitted that Salvador Perez’s home run momentarily rattled his focus, allowing the Royals to seize control. Heading into Game 1 of the ALCS, he knows the importance of maintaining sharp concentration, particularly in pivotal moments. the Yankees star is determined to better harness his energy and stay locked in as he prepares for his crucial start against Cleveland.
“I didn’t want to give up that run there, and I knew that at-bat was important and that game went tied,” the Yankees star explained. “It’s one of those things when I look back, just knowing to keep that focus and I guess channel that energy a little bit better so the focus stays on the field.”
Taking a cue from Gerrit Cole
Rodon, despite his decade in the majors, recognizes the need to adjust his mindset as he continues to evolve as a pitcher. Reflecting on his recent postseason outing, he admitted that managing his emotions better would be key moving forward.
In Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals, the Yankees pitcher got off to a strong start, striking out five of the first eight batters. However, his momentum stalled in the fourth inning, where he allowed four runs before being pulled in a 4-2 loss.
Rodon admitted that his animated reaction while leaving the mound after the first inning at Yankee Stadium might have been excessive. The energy from the Yankees’ home crowd fueled his excitement, but in hindsight, he realized the need to conserve some of that emotion.
Watching teammate Gerrit Cole’s composed performance in the ALDS-clinching game in Kansas City left an impression on Rodon. He admired Cole’s ability to stay calm under pressure, quickly resetting between innings, and only allowing himself to release emotion after delivering a dominant seven-inning, one-run effort.
Rodon humorously noted that while Cole excels at keeping a “poker face,” he finds that much more challenging. Still, he expressed a desire to improve his emotional control during high-stakes games.
Addressing the negative reactions on social media following his ALDS outing, Rodon took a pragmatic approach. He discussed the online backlash with his wife, who is active on social media, and praised her resilience. According to the Yankees star, his wife has “thick skin” and can handle the criticism, perhaps even more so than he can.
Rodon personally avoids engaging with social media, choosing to step back and let others deal with online conflicts. He prefers to stay focused on his game, leaving any social media squabbles to be handled by his wife or others.
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