Yankees are playing a risky pitching game on the road to open the World Series
As the New York Yankees prepare to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series starting Friday night, they’ve reportedly settled on their pitching rotation for the first few games. Unsurprisingly, Gerrit Cole will take the mound in Game 1 against Dodgers’ starter Jack Flaherty on the road. However, the decision to start Carlos Rodon in Game 2 has raised eyebrows, especially considering the Dodgers’ prowess against left-handed pitching.
Rodon Slated for Game 2 Despite Concerns
According to Andy Martino of SNY, “The expectation is that Carlos Rodon will start Game 2 and Clarke Schmidt in Game 3. Word around the team is that Luis Gil is likely for Game 4, but the team has not yet finalized that.”
While Rodon is set to start Game 2, his season has been inconsistent, and his postseason performances have followed a similar pattern. The Dodgers are particularly strong against left-handed pitching, boasting a .269 batting average and 66 home runs against lefties this season, which ranks first in the MLB.
Starting Rodon on the road may seem like a risky move, but the Yankees are banking on his ability to deliver a big performance despite the odds. Rodon tossed 175 innings during the regular season, posting a 3.96 ERA, including 10.03 strikeouts per nine innings and a 79.2% left-on-base rate. However, his postseason numbers have been volatile, with a 4.40 ERA and 13.81 strikeouts per nine innings over 14.1 innings. His tendency to falter after the third inning, whether due to fatigue or overconfidence, has been a concern.
