After an underwhelming outing against the Kansas City Royals in the ALDS, New York Yankees starter Carlos Rodon turned a new leaf in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians. The 31-year-old put on a dominant outing at home in six innings on Monday.
Rodon posted a stat line of one-run, no-walks, three-hits, and nine strikeouts as the Yankees dominated the Guardians in the championship series opener, winning 5-2. Carlos Rodon's wife Ashley boasted about her husband's stellar performance in her Instagram story.
As pointed out by MLB statistician Sarah Langs, Rodon's performance in Game 1 was sufficient to be etched in the history books. The lefty generated 25 swings and misses against Guardians batters, the most by a Yankees starter in the playoffs since pitch tracking began in 2008.
"Carlos Rodón generated 25 swings and misses tonight, the most by a @Yankees pitcher in a #postseason game under pitch tracking (since 2008). h/t @SlangsOnSports" - @ MLB
Rodon's amazing output was supported by the Yankees' bats coming alive. Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton each had a home run while Aaron Judge also drove in a run in the team's comfortable victory.
Carlos Rodon's polarizing start in ALDS
Doubts were cast when Carlos Rodon was named starter for Game 1 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians. After all, in the lefty's previous start against the Royals, he looked out of sorts.
Just a week ago, Rodon faced the Royals at Yankees Stadium and after navigating through the first three innings, he would then be peppered with hits in the fourth.
The All-Star pitcher conceded a home run to Salvador Perez in the top of the fourth. He would then issue an RBI single to Tommy Pham that drove in Yuli Gurriel. The hits kept coming as Garrett Hampson recorded a single that drove Tommy Pham home. Maikel Garcia added to the Royals' blast by driving in Hampson.
Rodon allowed seven hits, a home run, and four earned runs while striking out seven Royals batters. He was pulled after 3 and 2/3 innings.