The Yankees already have their pitcher to open the ALCS against the Guardians

New York, United States.- Carlos Rodón wants to be more like Gerrit Cole when the first game of the Championship Series of the American League for the New York Yankees contra Cleveland on Monday night.

After getting blown out in the fourth inning of his Division Series opener against Kansas CityRodón paid close attention to his teammate’s departure in Thursday’s decisive match.

“Gerrit is a good poker player. Me, not so much,” Rodón said on Sunday. “I need to be better at poker.”

Cole pitched a scoreless ball into the sixth, allowed an RBI double Vinnie Pasquantino which reduced the Yankees’ lead to two runs, then retired Salvador Perez with a high He pitched seven innings in New York’s 3-1 series victory.

“He didn’t react in every inning,” Rodón said. “If you see him come out, he’s like a robot walking to the dugout. Then at the bottom of the seventh, it’s a big roar because he knows like ‘I did my job.'”

List the rotation

Cole starts Game 2 on Tuesday, followed by Clarke Schmidt in Game 3 in Cleveland on Thursday and the rookie Luis Gil the next day in Game 4.

“It was really kind of a choice between Clarke and Carlos,” the Yankees manager said. Aaron Booneon Sunday. “It just felt like it was close, and I feel like this keeps them in rhythm as much as possible without giving a guy a big, long break.”

The Guardians, who defeated the Tigers in Game 5 of their Division Series on Saturday, go with Alex Cobb in Game 1. Cobb allowed two runs and three hits in three innings in his Game 3 start against Detroit, his first appearance since September 1st.

Of ups and downs

Rodón went 16-9 with a 3.96 ERA in 172 innings over 32 starts in his second season with the Yankees after signing a six-year, $162 million contract. He went 3-8 with a career-worst 6.85 ERA in 14 starts in a 2023 season that didn’t start until July 7 due to a left forearm strain and back stiffness.

“Hopefully going through your first playoff game here in the Bronx and experiencing all the emotions that you experience, I hope there’s something that will serve you well this next time,” Boone said.

Boone said it was possible that the first baseman Anthony Rizzo could be added to the roster, but no decision has been made. Rizzo has been out of action since breaking a pair of fingers when he was hit by a pitch on September 28.

“He did a lot more yesterday and he did it pretty well, but I want to see more today,” Boone said before practice. “There is a possibility.”

Source: Tribune