It is essential to pay attention to the past to be able to correct the future. The New York Yankees are chipping away, closer to a postseason berth. Starting pitcher Carlos Rodon will be one to question about his past postseason showings.
This Yankees Pitcher’s Season Performance Needs to Translate to October
Rodon has always been a staple in the majority of the starting rotations he’s been a part of in the major leagues. The left-hander is a three-time all-star in his 11-year professional career. When it comes to the postseason, the rotation is always one to break down.
The rotation performance and reliability are extremely important, as each matchup holds weight in a postseason series. Rodon is known to be very dominant in regular season play, with his win percentage usually above .600.
His postseason performance based on last season has been inconsistent. It did not provide full confidence to the team nor the fan base.
Rodon’s 2024 Season Versus Postseason Was Not All Consistent
The Yankees left-hander was decently dominant in the 2024 regular season. He had a .640 win-loss percentage with a win-loss record of 16-9. He had 32 starts and recorded 175 innings pitched.
Rodon allowed 77 earned runs on 157 hits, striking out 195 hitters, walking only 57 batters. The starter finished the season with a 3.96 ERA. His performance was raved about, carrying into the postseason.
Let’s start with his postseason line for 2024: a 1-2 win-loss record in four starts with a 5.60 ERA on 17 and 2 / 3 innings of work. Rodon allowed 11 runs on 21 hits and five home runs. Batters hit .284 against the left-hander in this postseason run.
Rodon’s dominance came from his strikeout ability, where he struck out 25 hitters in his total innings pitched, only walking one batter. In Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals, Rodon took a loss, allowing four runs in 3 and 2 / 3 innings.
Carlos Rodón strikes out the side in the first! pic.twitter.com/mhgnCLCIOq
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) October 7, 2024
Game one of the American League Championship Series was Rodon’s best outing. He worked through six strong innings, allowing only one run, three hits, no walks, striking out nine Guardians hitters.
Rodon’s third appearance was another downfall. Multiple home runs led to four earned runs in 3 and 1 / 3 innings. This resulted in a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the World Series.
Despite the one good outing, Rodon was an overall disappointment. His “big-game” aura never prevailed, especially in the World Series, where it mattered the most. His reliability was tested and did not exactly meet the standard.
The Yankees Left-Hander Needs to Show Up in the 2025 Postseason
Whether it starts with the ALDS or a wild card series, the Yankees will depend on a rotation not including Gerrit Cole. This puts more pressure on the current starting pitchers. Yes, Rodon is included on that list.
Rodon has put up an all-star season in 2025. He’s gone 17-9 so far in a league-leading 32 starts. The starter has thrown 189 and 1 / 3 innings, allowing 128 hits (fewer than 2024), and 64 earned runs. He’s struck out 195 hitters, walking only 57.
Rodon has posted a 3.04 ERA so far and is setting himself up for another successful regular season. That being said, his reliance will be more emphasized, and expectations are once again high.
Rodon will need to continue this performance into October to give the Yankees a chance to go far.
Main Photo Credits: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
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