The New York Yankees went back to the Bronx for game three of the American League Division Series with their backs against the wall. The Toronto Blue Jays led the series two games to none. Carlos Rodón was sent to the bump to start for the Yankees.
Rodón was faced with a tough task. First off, it was an elimination game. It was do or die for the Yankees, and Rodón was the one who held the fate in his hands.
He was faced with a familiar environment, Yankee Stadium, which is always a tough place to play. The Blue Jays’ red-hot bats were his biggest concern, as displayed over the past few days.
Carlos Rodón Faced a Hot Blue Jays Lineup in Game Three
Rodón lasted 1/3 inning less than Blue Jays starter Shane Bieber. He threw 2 1/3 innings, allowing six earned runs on six hits, with two walks and two strikeouts. Rodón’s first inning was not what he wanted.
He allowed a free-90, giving up a walk to Davis Schneider, which came around full circle. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was the next hitter, and he taught Rodón a lesson on allowing free 90s, hitting a middle-middle changeup 427 feet over the wall for a two-run home run.
The start of the third inning is where things went further downhill for Rodón. By the end of his outing, Toronto had six runs on the board. Yankees manager Aaron Boone, understanding that this was an elimination game, went right to his bullpen.
Rodon threw 67 pitches and 44 strikes. He threw six called strikes, seven swinging strikes, 20 foul balls, and 11 in-play strikes.
Carlos Rodón exits in the third inning with a runner on
2.1 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, 67 P pic.twitter.com/z4xGN0aIzI
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) October 8, 2025
Rodón’s Postseason Struggles Continue
It is not surprising that this was the outcome for Rodón. The Yankees left-hander is spectacular in the regular season, but can’t seem to seal the deal in the postseason. He went 18-9 in the 2025 regular season.
Last postseason, Rodón carried a 5.60 ERA, winning one game and losing two. His struggles put a damper on tight situations. For his career, he has a 7.53 postseason ERA. These statistics are a pattern, and the Yankees’ management needs to figure out a solution if he gets another chance to start.
In that spot, the Yankees may want to start another long-relief arm, or limit Rodón to two innings max until getting a long-offering starter in relief.
Rodón’s reliability in a game where the stakes are high and backs are against the wall may not make him the option they need. His postseason track record is not attractive, especially in a spot where the Yankees must win
Beyond this postseason, where do the Yankees move from here with Rodón? Reassessments are going to be required looking forward, as the left-hander seems not to October-ready even after a good regular season. Without a doubt, his contributions are the reason the Yankees are here in the first place. But Rodón’s postseason struggles need to be considered when seeing where he fits next year.
Main Photo Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
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