Carlos Rodon had a disappointing season last year for the New York Yankees. Back in the offseason, ahead of the 2023 season, the NY side bought the pitcher for a hefty sum of money. However, he did not quite deliver as well as the team expected him to. Then, again, the whole team really had a disappointing year. They finished with an awful 82-80 record and in fourth place in the American League East division. Very nearly, they prevented a last-place finish. It was their worst season in the last 30 years. Since they have been looking for redemption in the new season.
However, even before the current season could start, the ace pitcher of the Yankees, Gerrit Cole, suffered a right elbow inflammation that caused him to get on the 60-day Injured List. It was a big blow for the pitching department of New York. They had been looking a bit shaky from the start, and then, without their ace, was just really bad enough. However, the starting pitchers of the NY side have really surprised the fans with their stellar show so far in the ongoing season. Carlos Rodon has played his role pretty well so far.
Carlos Rodon Made A Big Difference In Yankees Success So Far This Season
Lately, the NY Yankees enjoyed a victory against the Kansas City Royals. They beat the Royals 4-2. In Game 1 against the Royals, Carlos Rodon dominated on the mound. He pitched seven innings and had three strikeouts. Moreover, he gave away only one earned run. This year, Rodon is, so far, 9-2 with a 2.93 ERA. Clearly, it has been a major upgrade from what happened last year. Anyway, injuries really weakened his performance last year. In the 2023 season, he went 3-8 with a 6.85 ERA. Moreover, the Yankees starter is beginning to put himself in the conversation for the top spot on the All-Star team of the American League.
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Lately, Stathead’s Katie Sharp posted that Rodon has appeared in 9 games so far this season, where he allowed 6+ IP and also 2R or even fewer. Only Jose Berrios has allowed more (10) this season. Hence, the impact of Carlos Rodon has been big for the Yankees this season. When talking about the impact on the game for the NY side in 2024, everyone talks about either Aaron Judge or Juan Soto. Clearly, they have a big and lethal offense, which has been their strength. But they should not ignore the impact of the starters, especially Rodon.
Starters Stood Up When The Team Needed Them The Most
Luis Gil has been absolutely fabulous this year. In his rookie season as a starting pitcher, he is generating the buzz for the 2024 AL Cy Young Award. Can he win the prestigious award this year? Only time can tell. The young Dominican hurler replaced the 2023 AL Cy Young winner as Cole got injured. But Gil has been their breakout star this year. Moreover, Nestor Cortes and Marcus Stroman have been great, too.
If these guys had not performed as well as they have so far, the Yankees might not be in this position. Currently, the NY side is 47-21. Carlos Rodon started with more than five scoreless innings against the Royals on Monday. The Kansas City club is also one of the playoff hopefuls.
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