The New York Yankees won Game 1 of the AL Championship Series (ALCS) against Cleveland Guardians on Monday to take a 1-0 lead in the seven-game series. Giancarlo Stanton extended his sublime October form to slam a home run, followed by Juan Soto, who hit his first playoff homer for the Yanks.
Having said that, more than the hitters, the pitching staff pulled off a fabulous job of restricting the Guardians to just 2 runs. Carlos Rodon, the starter for the day, calmed his nerves after a shaky ALDS outing to deliver his best start of the season, followed by Luke Weaver’s sensational save.
Carlos Rodon’s Robotic Mindset Results In Stellar ALCS Outing
Left-hander Carlos Rodon delivered a dominant performance in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS), leading the New York Yankees to a 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. Ahead of the high-pressure game, Rodon kept his pre-game routine light, played with his children, and stayed relaxed, a key strategy he employed to stay composed on the mound. His six strong innings, during which he struck out nine and allowed just three hits, showcased the pitching prowess the Yanks hoped for when they signed him to a six-year, $162 million deal. Moreover, his ability to manage his emotions, something he struggled with in the ALDS against the Royals, was critical in this performance.
Carlos Rodon led the Yankees to an ALCS Game 1 win
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Interestingly, Carlos Rodon credited studying Gerrit Cole’s calm demeanor as a template for how to approach the game. He was also encouraged by advice from Yankee legend Andy Pettitte, who helped him control his emotions during high-stakes moments. On the offense, Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton contributed key home runs, with Aaron Judge adding a sacrifice fly, helping New York secure an important Game 1 win. This victory gives the New York Yankees a 1-0 series lead, and history suggests they now have a significant advantage, with teams that win Game 1 going on to win the series nearly 67% of the time under the current postseason format. Moreover, with Carlos Rodon’s redemption after a rocky ALDS outing and Giancarlo Stanton’s continued postseason power, the Bronx Bombers now have momentum as they head into Game 2 of the ALCS. Game 2 will be on Tuesday at the Yankee Stadium.
Aaron Boone Hails Carlos Rodo’s Temperament
After Carlos Rodon’s commanding performance in Game 1 of the ALCS, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised the left-hander’s growth and ability to harness his emotions. “I thought he was in complete command of himself and of his emotions. Stuff was excellent,” Boone said.
The skipper also acknowledged that Carlos Rodon had learned from his earlier ALDS start, where his emotions got the better of him. But this time, the starting pitcher was composed, delivering six strong innings, allowing only three hits, and striking out nine, giving the Yankees the edge in their 5-2 victory over Cleveland.
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