Carlos Rodon gave the Yankees exactly what they needed Tuesday, and maybe a whole lot more than that.
His eight shutout innings in the second game of the day-night doubleheader locked New York into a Wild Card Series at home, and they may have also put him in position to shape the rest of the club’s October path. If the Yankees don’t somehow claw back the division, the postseason starts Sept. 29, and the calendar alone makes the rotation puzzle tricky. The Wild Card Series begins, then the ALDS opens four days later on Oct. 3, which means no Yankees starter from the first round will be available to work two games in the next one unless the club uses someone on short rest.
That leaves the Yankees with options, but not many clean ones. Cam Schlittler could take the Game 1 ball on regular rest, or Gerrit Cole could do it on extra rest.
Another possibility is Schlittler in Game 1, Max Fried in Game 2 and Cole in Game 3. Rodon, meanwhile, could be reserved for the Red Sox or saved for a pair of starts against the Rays if New York gets through the opening round.
And that matters because Rodon was dealing against Tampa Bay. He allowed just two singles, struck out eight and didn’t walk a batter.
The Rays barely reached base against him, managing only two baserunners over eight innings. His final strikeout was the 1,500th of his injury-hit career, a milestone that comes with three All-Star selections, a no-hitter with the White Sox and 18 wins last year.
Boone said after Tuesday’s first game that the Yankees plan to skip Rodon on Sunday and sort out the rest later.
“Ah, we haven’t got that far yet,” the skipper said after Tuesday’s first game.
That approach makes sense because the division is still technically alive. If the Yankees sweep their four games against the Rays, they would head into the final weekend two games back with the tiebreaker in hand. New York closes at home against the Orioles, while Tampa Bay finishes at Philadelphia against a Phillies team that could still be playing for home-field advantage in a Wild Card Series.
If the Yankees are still in the race by Sunday, Rodon is lined up for game 162.
For now, what stands out most is how steady he’s been when healthy. Two injured list stints wiped out more than half of his season, but over 26 straight starts he hasn’t allowed more than three runs. Boone also pointed to how Rodon’s arsenal has grown beyond the fastball-slider combination that once defined him.
“His stuff is really good, especially today with the heater and the profile of that fastball,” Boone said. “I think in a lot of ways his fastball is in a better place than it was last year, which was a great season for him. But we’ve seen over the last couple years him really develop as a pitcher and develop the secondary (pitches).
“When he came to us, his calling card throughout his career was just overpowering fastball/slider combo. The changeup the last couple years has become an excellent pitch for him.
So he can pitch now. He can beat you different ways.
But I like where his fastball is right now.”
The Yankees have leaned on pitching all season, and that burden only grows with Aaron Judge doubtful for the first round and maybe the entire postseason. If New York keeps playing, Rodon figures to be right in the middle of it.
“I expect him to play a big role for us hopefully, especially if we go on a deep run in the postseason,” Boone said. “I like where he’s at right now.”
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