Yankees turn to Carlos Rodon in Game 2 of ALDS, banking on late-season momentum

The New York Yankees have announced their starting pitchers for the first two games of the American League Division Series (ALDS), set to begin this Saturday. Gerrit Cole, the Yankees’ ace, will start Game 1, with left-hander Carlos Rodón taking the mound in Game 2. The starter for Game 3 remains undecided, with Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt both under consideration.

Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake mentioned that the decision for Game 3 will depend on how the series unfolds. Both Gil and Schmidt could potentially pitch in long relief if needed. Cole, who missed the first two months of the 2024 season due to elbow inflammation, ended the regular season with an 8-5 record, a 3.41 ERA, and a 1.13 WHIP in 17 starts. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner found his rhythm late in the season, helping the Yankees clinch the AL East with 6.2 scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles, followed by nine scoreless innings against the Oakland Athletics.

Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon set the tone

Since joining the Yankees in 2020, Cole has established himself as a reliable postseason performer, recording a 3.49 ERA over seven postseason starts. In those 38.2 innings, he has struck out 56 batters while allowing nine home runs and ten walks.

Carlos Rodon will make his first postseason appearance with the Yankees, having joined the team in 2023. Rodón had a strong finish to the 2024 regular season, posting a 2.20 ERA in September. This marked a significant improvement over his rocky debut season in New York. Rodón has two previous postseason appearances, both with the Chicago White Sox, but has yet to find success on the playoff stage.

Game 3 starter options: Schmidt or Gil?

Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil are both candidates for Game 3. Schmidt, who struggled as a reliever in the 2022 postseason, enjoyed a breakout 2024 season, ending with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP across 16 starts. Though his last outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates was less than stellar, Schmidt’s performance throughout the season has made him a viable option for the ALDS. Gil, on the other hand, is coming off a rough start in which he allowed four home runs and six earned runs, but he remains a contender for AL Rookie of the Year after finishing the season 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 171 strikeouts over 151.2 innings.

With home-field advantage secured, the Yankees will be relying on their starting pitchers to establish a solid foundation for their lineup and bullpen as they seek their first World Series title since 2009. Blake also highlighted several relievers who could play crucial roles in high-leverage situations, including Luke Weaver, Tommy Kahnle, Clay Holmes, Tim Hill, Jake Cousins, Ian Hamilton, and Tim Mayza.

With the pressure on and a 15-year championship drought to end, the Yankees’ postseason hopes largely rest on the shoulders of their pitching staff, beginning with Gerrit Cole’s performance in Game 1.

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