In the world of baseball decisions, sometimes a little extra rest for a powerhouse pitcher is worth its weight in gold. The Yankees have made the call to preserve their one-two punch approach in their rotation, opting to stick with Ryan Yarbrough against the Dodgers while setting Carlos Rodon up for the Cleveland Guardians matchup on Tuesday.
Yarbrough, who joined the Yankees' starting rotation on May 3, has been nothing short of impressive. He’s holding a 2-0 record and posting a 3.06 ERA.
Now, with an extra day of rest, he’s set to take on the Dodgers in a prime-time Sunday night showdown. But here's what really makes this a savvy move: it slots Rodon, who’s been on fire since mid-April, to pitch on Tuesday with two extra days of rest.
Rodon’s track record speaks for itself. In his last game, against the Angels, he was lights out with seven innings of shutout baseball, fanning ten without giving up a walk. He matched his season peak with 105 pitches and looks ready to continue that streak at Yankee Stadium.
Aaron Boone, the Yankees' manager, throws his weight behind the decision. “Rodon came off a deep one the other day, so we felt it best to give him a little breather, and Yarbrough is rolling right now,” Boone shared. It’s about maximizing both current performance and future readiness.
This season hasn't always been smooth sailing for Rodon. After a rocky 1-3 start, he found his groove and hasn't looked back, putting up a 6-0 record with a stellar 1.27 ERA in his last eight starts.
The secret sauce? Strategic rest days.
So far, Rodon has thrived with the luxury of pitching every fifth or sixth day, posting strong numbers regardless of the rest day configuration.
Boone appreciates that balance. “With our starters, that extra rest day can be beneficial.
We try to manage it carefully, but for now, the sixth day made more sense than not,” he explained. It's a tactical dance, ensuring the bullpen stays fresh and the arms strong.
Looking forward, Yarbrough’s solid performances give Boone the luxury of flexibility. And as for Rodon, the rest is part of a bigger picture strategy that’s all about the postseason push.
With the way these two are throwing right now, the Yankees are setting up their rotation to be a constant threat in the league. Watch out – when they take the mound, it might just be a masterclass in pitching prowess.
