Rodón’s Masterclass: Yankees Take Game 1 of ALCS
In a thrilling opening game of the American League Championship Series, the New York Yankees edged out the Cleveland Guardians 5-2, thanks to a phenomenal performance from Carlos Rodón. The left-handed pitcher drew inspiration from Gerrit Cole’s calm demeanor on the mound, and it paid off in a big way.
A Lesson in Composure
Rodón’s first postseason start didn’t quite go as planned, with his emotions getting the better of him. But on Monday, he took a page out of Cole’s book, exuding tranquility and focus as he navigated the Guardians’ lineup. “It’s just like a robot walking to the dugout,” Rodón observed about Cole’s approach. He then went on to emulate that calmness, tossing six brilliant innings and holding the Guardians to just one run on three hits.
Dominant Performance
Rodón’s stats were impressive: nine strikeouts, seven of which came courtesy of his wipeout slider, and 25 swing-and-misses – the most by a Yankees pitcher in a playoff game since 2008. He threw 93 pitches with precision, leaving the Guardians struggling to keep up. “Gosh, he was good,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone raved. “We talked about would he take the experience of the first time out? And I felt like he totally applied all of that.”
Bullpen Brilliance
The Yankees’ bullpen sealed the deal, with Clay Holmes, Tim Hill, and Luke Weaver combining to record the final nine outs. Weaver, in particular, shone, striking out pinch hitter Will Brennan and getting superstar Jose Ramirez to ground out in the eighth inning. He then shut the door with three strikeouts in the ninth, becoming the first Yankees pitcher with multiple five-out saves since Aroldis Chapman in 2017.
Guardians’ Struggles
The Guardians’ Alex Cobb, making just his fifth start of 2024, struggled to contain the Yankees’ offense. He departed with a tight left hip and back spasms, leaving the bullpen to clean up the mess. Juan Soto’s leadoff blast in the third inning sparked a Yankees rally, and the Guardians’ pitching staff ultimately combined for seven walks and five wild pitches, tying the MLB postseason record.
Lessons Learned
For the Guardians, the takeaway from this game is clear: attack the zone better. “These guys work the count,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt acknowledged. “They don’t chase a whole lot. I think if I take something away from tonight, we just need to attack the zone better, and we didn’t tonight.” Rodón, on the other hand, proved that sometimes, less is more. By staying in control and channeling his emotions, he delivered a masterclass performance that will be remembered for a long time.
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