The New York Yankees are most likely to qualify for the postseason comfortably as they hold sole possession of the AL-East division’s top spot with a 79-56 record. Hence, perhaps the leadership group must have already begun preparing a gameplan for October. Notably, the Yankee roster is still incomplete.
In the next two weeks, the New York Yankees will see an inflow of multiple injured players who were regular in the beginning of the season. That being said, ahead of the injured players’ return, a WFAN radio host advised Aaron Boone to shake up the rotation and eliminate a troubled left-hander from postseason plans.
Keith McPherson Against The Idea Of Carlos Rodon Pitching In Postseason
Carlos Rodon, who signed a lucrative six-year contract to bolster the New York Yankees’ rotation, has struggled with consistency and health throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons. While he is relatively healthier this season, Rodon’s ERA rose to 5.97 in the past 13 starts, including 14 home runs allowed in 66.1 innings. These struggles have not only impacted his confidence but also raised questions about his readiness for the pressure cooker environment of the postseason. Starting him in the postseason could risk early deficits, putting additional pressure on an already overworked bullpen. Keith McPherson of WFAN radio agreed with the narrative. He said trusting Rodon in the postseason is a self-sabotage move by the Bronx Bombers.
McPherson explained that Carlos Rodon lacks the focus required to pitch in high-pressure situations that are much similar to playoffs. He gets rattled easily upon early onslaught, which is not ideal in a postseason setting. “Do you feel comfortable giving him the ball in the postseason, knowing the wind could blow the wrong way, and he’ll have a hissy fit? Hell no,” Keith said. Needless to say, the risk is evident. The postseason is unforgiving, and one bad start can turn a series. With Rodon’s recent track record, critics feel the gamble may not be worth the potential reward. The Yankees have other options, including using an opener strategy or leaning more heavily on their top starters, including Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil, which may provide a more secure path through October. Giving Carlos Rodon a postseason start could pay off if he finds his rhythm, but it currently seems like a risky move.
Nestor Crotes Puts Himself Back In Playoff Conversation
Nestor Cortes’ future with the New York Yankees was on the line when he had an awful start to the season. However, in the second half, Cortes enforced a few changes in his pitching arsenal. He infused change up as his fastball-cutter combination had been ineffective. The adjustment resulted in 20 inning scoreless streak.
However, the streak snapped in the recent start against the Nationals, where the pitcher allowed a home run. Regardless, the pitcher’s ERA is down to 4.42 from 6.86 and is back in the playoff conversations. The left-hander has been a great asset for the Yankees rotation, and he is proving why he deserves to be in the team more so than anyone.
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