Carlos Rodon of the New York Yankees had a dominant performance in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians, setting a modern postseason record for swings and misses. Rodon allowed only one run in six innings and struck out nine batters, leading the Yankees to a 4-1 victory. His impeccable command of his four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and cutter set up the Yankees’ bullpen well for the remainder of the series.
Teammate Gerrit Cole held the previous record for swings and misses with 23 in the 2020 Wild Card series against the Guardians. Cole struck out 13 batters in that game, which the Yankees won 12-3. Rodon’s performance in Game 1 was a masterclass in pitching, showcasing his ability to change speeds and command his pitches effectively. This was a redemption story for Rodon, who had a challenging season in 2023 but bounced back in 2024 to help the Yankees become the top seed in the American League.
Rodon, who signed a six-year, $162 million contract with the Yankees, had a strong regular season with a 16-9 record and a 3.96 ERA in 32 starts. However, he struggled in 2023, going 3-8 with a 6.85 ERA. In the Wild Card round against the Kansas City Royals, he had a rough outing, allowing four runs in 3.2 innings. However, Rodon seized the opportunity in the ALCS and delivered a stellar performance in Game 1.
The Yankees had a significant advantage in starting pitching heading into the series, with Cole scheduled to start Game 2, followed by Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil in Games 3 and 4. Each pitcher was capable of going deep into a game, which was crucial considering the Guardians’ struggles with quality starts and pitches thrown over 100 in the regular season. In Game 1, Guardians starter Alex Cobb struggled, allowing three runs in 2.2 innings, further highlighting the Yankees’ pitching superiority.
Rodon’s record-breaking performance in Game 1 set the tone for the series and put the Yankees in a strong position to advance to the World Series. With their pitching staff firing on all cylinders and the offense providing support, the Yankees were poised to continue their postseason success. As the series unfolded, all eyes would be on Rodon and his teammates as they looked to secure a spot in the championship series.
