‘Driver’ Carlos Rodon steers Yankees to ALCS win, his slider slays for playoff record

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Carlos Rodon delivered a standout performance in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, bouncing back from a rough outing in the ALDS. The left-hander pitched six dominant innings, allowing just one run and striking out nine. Rodon’s slider was especially effective, accounting for seven of those strikeouts, while generating 25 swings and misses overall.

Rodon’s poise and sharpness were in stark contrast to his previous appearance against the Royals, setting a solid tone for the Yankees in the ALCS opener. This outing served as a reminder of why the Yankees committed to a six-year, $162 million contract with Rodon before the 2023 season, providing a reprieve from memories of two injury-marred seasons that saw him post a 4.74 ERA.

His stellar showing at Yankee Stadium intensified postseason excitement in the Bronx while underscoring his potential to be a key factor in the Yankees’ quest for their 28th World Series championship. Teammate Giancarlo Stanton, who blasted a 439-foot home run to pass Yogi Berra and Reggie Jackson on the postseason home run list, praised Rodon’s focus and preparation, calling him the catalyst for the team’s success that night.

“He was the driver tonight,” Stanton remarked. “He showed how prepared and focused he was.”

Rodon redeems self from Yankees villain to hero

Carlos Rodon showcased his value as a $162 million investment with a standout performance in his second postseason start for the Yankees. After a disappointing outing earlier in the playoffs, he rebounded in a big way on Monday, leading New York to a 5-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of the ALCS.

Chosen as the Game 1 starter over teammate Clarke Schmidt, Rodon had stressed the importance of setting the tone for the series. He delivered on that promise, generating 25 swings and misses—a postseason record for a Yankees pitcher since pitch tracking began in 2008, according to MLB statistician Sarah Langs.

In his six innings on the mound, Rodon allowed just three hits and struck out nine batters without issuing a walk. He threw 63 strikes out of 93 pitches, departing the game with a 4-1 lead. The veteran lefty, who had two previous postseason appearances with the White Sox, silenced Cleveland’s bats while drawing cheers from the Yankee Stadium crowd.

While Rodon started strong, as he had in his Game 2 ALDS start against the Royals, his ability to maintain that dominance was key. In the fourth inning, he retired Cleveland’s top hitters—Jose Ramirez lined out to center, followed by strikeouts of Lane Thomas and Josh Naylor—earning a standing ovation from the 47,264 fans in attendance.

This refined approach was clear in Rodon’s latest outing, where he retired 11 consecutive batters and 13 of his last 15. Leaning on his fastball-slider mix, he generated 25 swings and misses, striking out nine Guardians without allowing a walk. Rodon’s ability to control both his execution and emotions was a critical factor in his success, something he acknowledged with satisfaction after the game.

Rodon showed no signs of distraction in his latest start, retiring 11 straight batters before Cleveland’s Brayan Rocchio broke the streak with a 378-foot solo home run to lead off the sixth inning. That lone blemish didn’t shake his focus, as he quickly dispatched the top of Cleveland’s lineup in order.

Rodon pleases Yankees fans

Rodon’s relationship with Yankees fans has had its ups and downs, but this performance could be a turning point in winning over the Bronx faithful.

He delivered a standout performance in the ALCS, marking a significant rebound from his earlier struggles, particularly against the Royals. In the aftermath of that rough outing, Rodon’s wife had faced online harassment from anonymous critics who targeted the couple’s personal life. She took to social media to denounce the inappropriate comments and threats aimed at players’ families.

The most impressive moment of Rodon’s night came in a nine-pitch duel with Guardians star Jose Ramirez, a perennial MVP candidate. He won the battle, getting Ramirez to line out to end the sixth inning, capping his night on a high note. Rodon acknowledged after the game that Ramirez is one of the league’s toughest hitters and plays a pivotal role in Cleveland’s offense.

His resurgence, paired with ace Gerrit Cole, boosts the Yankees’ World Series hopes. Rodon, who finished the regular season with a 16-9 record and a 3.96 ERA over 32 starts, remains under contract with New York through 2028 after being the team’s marquee acquisition in 2023.

Rodon’s postseason growth became evident after a pivotal conversation with Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake and veteran Andy Pettitte. The discussion, described by Blake as a “debrief,” focused on handling the emotional intensity of playoff baseball. Rodón also studied Gerrit Cole’s calm and composed performance during the Yankees’ ALDS-clinching win over Kansas City, observing how Cole stayed measured for six innings before unleashing his emotions at the final out.

Rodon’s performance marked a stark turnaround, transforming him from a player facing fan criticism into a postseason standout. He credited Cole’s influence, noting how he had mentally taken notes on Cole’s approach to maintaining composure, and aimed to apply those lessons to his own game.

His ability to absorb and adapt to the pressure of playoff baseball is a promising sign for the Yankees as they continue their push toward a 28th World Series title.

Gerrit Cole, fresh off his Game 4 ALDS-clinching performance against Kansas City, is slated to start Game 2 as the Yankees look to build on their momentum.

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