Rodon slays ghost of Anaheim, rolls out Yankees best after Boone’s prophecy

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ANAHEIM, Calif. — Hours before Tuesday’s game, Aaron Boone told reporters that Carlos Rodon was “about to roll off a bunch in a row.” He wasn’t making a hopeful prediction — he was forecasting dominance. Rodon followed it with his most complete performance as the Yankees rode on his gem to beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 at Angel Stadium.

For the past one month, Rodon has delivered, putting together arguably his best stretch since arriving in the Bronx. In Anaheim, he threw seven shutout innings, allowed just five hits, struck out 10, and walked none — a masterclass of power, poise, and polish that lowered his ERA to 2.60 and improved his record to 7-3. It was his second straight scoreless outing and his fourth in 12 starts this season, pushing the Yankees to their seventh straight series win and affirming his status as the team’s frontline ace.

Rodon’s redemption where it went wrong

The setting wasn’t lost on anyone. Anaheim was the site of Rodon’s lowest moment in pinstripes — the infamous July 2023 game when he blew a kiss at heckling fans after a rough outing. The optics were damning, and his debut season in the Bronx was riddled with injuries and inconsistencies.

But this time, Rodon let his pitching do the talking.

“He’s pitching like a horse right now,” Boone said postgame. “Even when he’s gotten into trouble, he finds ways to battle. That’s a guy who’s matured.”

Rodon’s seventh-inning escape — fanning Chris Taylor on a 96 mph heater after Boone briefly visited the mound — capped off a 105-pitch gem. The moment not only electrified the dugout but also served as a symbolic turning point. The Carlos Rodon who arrived with expectations is now fully realized.

Expanded arsenal, elevated results

The transformation is not just emotional but tactical. Rodon was known early in his career for his explosive four-seam fastball and wipeout slider. But in 2025, his repertoire has matured, and so has his approach. On Tuesday, he threw 41 four-seamers, 28 sliders, eight sinkers, and seven curveballs — blending speed, movement, and location.

“The changeup is real now,” Boone said. “He’s got the sinker, he can land the curveball. He’s no longer just fastball up and slider off it. He’s become a complete pitcher.”

Rodon’s strikeout of Taylor — a blistering fastball perfectly placed — came after a steady diet of off-speed pitches. He kept hitters guessing all night, drawing 18 swinging strikes and getting five of his 10 punchouts on the slider alone.

“He’s got more weapons now, and he knows how to use them,” said former MLB All-Star and current YES Network analyst David Cone. “It’s command with conviction. That’s what makes him dangerous.”

Confidence from criticism

Rodon’s 2023 campaign was marred by injury and public scrutiny. The Yankees signed him to a six-year, $162 million deal expecting top-of-the-rotation results. For much of last season, those expectations went unmet.

Boone, however, never wavered.

“I told you when everyone was losing their minds after the three-run homers — he was close,” Boone said last week. “Now he’s rolling.”

Indeed, over his last five starts, Rodon has compiled a 1.50 ERA across 33 innings with 41 strikeouts and just five walks. Opponents are hitting only .197 against him. His strikeout rate now sits at 31.2%, one of the highest among MLB starters. And his expected ERA, per Baseball Savant, is a strong 2.82 — further proof that this stretch isn’t a fluke.

Team first, spotlight second

Despite the All-Star buzz swirling around him — Rodon has already made the Midsummer Classic twice (2021 with the White Sox and 2022 with the Giants) — he remains grounded.

“I’m not here for individual accolades,” he said. “I’m here to win as many games as possible for this team.”

His leadership by example has resonated in a Yankees clubhouse that is rapidly building momentum. With Gerrit Cole still working his way back and Luis Gil is nearing return, Rodon has seamlessly taken over as the staff anchor.

He is quick to credit his catcher, Austin Wells, for helping him find rhythm and rhythm. Their chemistry has been pivotal in sequencing and pitch calling, leading to consistent execution and tempo.

“Defensively, we’ve been great,” Rodon said. “It’s just a complete game right now. I have a good understanding of what I want to do out there and so do the catchers.”

Wells’ enthusiastic hug after Rodon’s final pitch was a snapshot of trust and teamwork.

Defending, contributing everywhere

Rodon wasn’t just dominant on the mound Tuesday — he also flashed the glove. In the fourth, he charged off the mound to field a high chopper and made a leaping, off-balance throw to first base, earning a dugout ovation and big grins from teammates.

“I’ll probably feel that tomorrow after the jump,” Rodón joked.

The Yankees’ defense stepped up behind him too. Trent Grisham made a diving catch in the seventh to preserve the shutout, while Gold Glove first baseman Paul Goldschmidt made a slick scoop on Rodón’s fourth-inning throw.

The Yankees broke the scoreless deadlock in the fourth when rookie Ben Rice clobbered a two-out solo homer off Angels starter Tyler Anderson. In the sixth, Anthony Volpe drove in Cody Bellinger, who reached on a misplayed fly ball. Oswald Peraza added insurance with a solo shot in the seventh. With the win, the Yankees extended their series-winning streak to seven and continued climbing the American League standings.

Outlook: Yankees in October?

The timing of Rodon’s resurgence couldn’t be more ideal. As May comes to a close, the Yankees are rounding into shape. Their rotation is showing depth and resilience. Their lineup, bolstered by new contributors like Rice and Bellinger, is balancing power and speed.

Boone believes this is just the beginning for his left-handed ace.

“There’s an intensity to him. There’s a fire. But he’s also learned how to manage that emotion,” Boone said. “He’s evolving. And that’s the scary part — he’s still getting better.”

Rodon echoed that sentiment, emphasizing his trust in the process: “I’ve just focused on attacking the zone and putting my team in a good position to win. That’s the only thing that matters.”

As the Yankees march toward the summer grind, Rodón’s continued dominance could be the key to unlocking a deep postseason run.

Carlos Rodon is no longer a question mark. He’s an exclamation point — for a Yankees team with October on its mind.

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