NEW YORK — On the eve of the most significant start of his career, Carlos Rodón embraced a whimsical role at home: a sea monster. The Rodón household had a new addition—a tent-shaped submarine playhouse, a find by his wife, Ashley. Carlos assembled it and spent the evening playing with their children, Willow (5) and Bo (3), who insisted he be the sea monster. He happily obliged, yet remained somewhat connected to his professional responsibilities, watching film and reviewing scouting reports.
Later that night, after the kids were asleep, Rodón revisited his game preparation. Sitting at his desk, he jotted down final thoughts for the upcoming game. The strategy was already set, but he added notes for an extra layer of preparedness. On a blank sheet of paper, he wrote “KWAN,” the name of Cleveland’s leadoff hitter. However, instead of detailing a plan of attack, he paused, crumpled the paper, and threw it away.
Less than 24 hours later, Rodón delivered a stellar performance in New York’s 5-2 win in Game 1 of the ALCS. He achieved 25 swing-and-misses, setting a record for a Yankees pitcher in a home playoff game. The left-hander dominated through six innings, striking out nine and conceding only one run.
Juan Soto hit a solo home run in the third inning, his first this October. The Yankees capitalized on a series of walks and wild pitches by the Guardians to score three early runs. Although Cleveland rallied late, narrowing the gap to three runs, New York’s breakout closer, Luke Weaver, secured the victory with a five-out save.
The crowd, which included celebrities like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, left the stadium thrilled. The Yankees, favored in the ALCS by both reputation and payroll, began the series with a promising, albeit not overwhelming, win. The narrative of the night centered on Rodón and his dramatic shift in demeanor from start to start.
His recent postseason outing, a disastrous performance in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals, loomed large. In his first playoff start as a Yankee, Rodón appeared overwhelmed, surrendering four runs and exiting after just 11 outs. Despite an electrifying first inning, where he struck out the side, Rodón lost his composure after Salvador Perez’s game-tying home run in the fourth inning. His command faltered, leading to his early exit and a disheartened demeanor on the bench.
This collapse raised questions about Rodón’s temperament under pressure. Signed in December 2022 for six years and $162 million, he was expected to handle high-stakes games. His Game 2 implosion, however, cast doubt on his ability to perform when it mattered most.
As Game 1 of the ALCS approached, Rodón faced a barrage of questions about his emotional control. He emphasized the importance of focus and channeling his energy positively, citing Gerrit Cole’s composed performance in ALDS Game 4 as a model.
Whatever adjustments Rodón made paid off. He finished five innings with a strikeout each time and maintained his composure throughout. His control and command were evident as he limited the Guardians to just three hits: two singles and a solo home run by Brayan Rocchio. Rodón’s fastball was particularly effective, and pitching with a lead bolstered his confidence.
Meanwhile, Alex Cobb struggled, conceding a solo home run to Juan Soto and loading the bases with walks. Rookie Joey Cantillo’s wild pitches added to Cleveland’s woes, allowing New York to extend their lead. A monstrous 439-foot home run by Giancarlo Stanton in the seventh inning provided further insurance. Despite a late Cleveland rally, the Yankees held firm, securing Rodón’s first postseason win.
Rodón’s performance was a significant step forward, though he remained measured in his postgame comments. He acknowledged that the journey is ongoing, with many challenges ahead. In New York, one exceptional game won’t erase doubts, and future opportunities will determine whether he can consistently deliver under pressure.
Rodón’s commanding Game 1 performance reminded everyone why the Yankees invested in him. The sea monster within him is present; he just needs to control it.
