Can Carlos Rodon Save the New York Yankees’ Season In Game 3?

Carlos Rodon pitched the most important game of his life today. The Yankees headed into the game down 0-2 in this five-game series with Toronto. However, they felt confident with  Rodon on the mound and, if they win the game tonight, with young fireballer Cam Schlittler on the mound facing the Toronto bullpen. Rodon pitched only 2.1 innings. That was a drastically different outing than he had all year. Despite him, the Yankees won this game 9-6. Following Max Fried’s disastrous start in Toronto, is it possible Rodon pitched even worse?

Lineups: Supporting Carlos Rodon In Game 3

The Toronto Blue Jays had George Springer leading off, and he was the designated hitter. Davis Schneider was the left fielder and batted second. Nathan Lukes came in for him in the eighth inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was the first baseman and batted third. Alejandro Kirk was the catcher and batted fourth.  Daulton Varsho was the center fielder and batted fifth. Ernie Clement was the third baseman and batted sixth. He moved to second base in the third inning.

Anthony Santander was the right fielder and batted seventh. Isiah Kiner-Falefa was the second baseman and batted eighth. Addison Barger pinch-hit for him in the third inning and stayed in the game to play third base. Andrés Giménez was the shortstop and batted ninth. 

For the Yankees, Trent Grisham played center field and led off. Aaron Judge was the right fielder and batted second. Cody Bellinger was the left fielder and batted third. Ben Rice was the first baseman and batted fourth. Paul Goldschmidt replaced him in the seventh inning. Giancarlo Stanton was the designated hitter and batted fifth. Jazz Chisholm Jr. was the second baseman and batted sixth.

Ryan McMahon was the third baseman and batted seventh. Amed Rosario pinch-hit for him in the third inning. He stayed in to play third base. In the seventh inning, Jose Caballero came in to play third base. Anthony Volpe was the shortstop and batted eighth. Austin Wells was the catcher and batted ninth. 

News and Notes

The Yankees were confident coming into the game, despite the 0-2 hole, in Rodon. He has earned their confidence, but needs to limit the walks and not allow any home runs.

It is puzzling that the Yankees, the highest-scoring team in Major League Baseball, experienced a relative power outage in Toronto. Meanwhile, Toronto had historic offensive output. The 23 runs the Blue Jays scored are the most runs scored by any playoff baseball team in the first two games of any playoff series.

Game Reaction

Well, the Yankees needed to score first. That is tough to do when you give up two runs in the top of the first. Judge is a beast. He was 3-of-4 with 4 RBI.

Scoring Summary

In the first inning, Guerrero Jr. hit a two-run home run. Schneider also scored. It was 2-0 Blue Jays. In the first inning, Stanton singled and Judge scored. The Blue Jays led 2-1. In the third inning, Varsho singled and Schneider scored. It was 3-1, Blue Jays. Then Clement singled, and Guerrero Jr. scored. It was 4-1, Blue Jays. Then Santander singled, and two more runs scored. Varsho and Clement both scored. It was 6-1, Blue Jays.

In the third inning, Judge doubled and Grisham scored. It was 6-2 Blue Jays. Then Stanton hit a sacrifice fly. Bellinger scored. It was 6-3 Blue Jays. In the fourth inning, Judge hit a three-run home run. Grisham scored, and so did Wells; the game was tied at 6. In the fifth inning, Chisholm Jr. hit a solo home run. The Yankees were winning 7-6. Then Wells singled and Rosario scored. It was 8-6 Yankees. In the sixth inning, Rice hit a sacrifice fly, and Aaron Judge scored. It was 9-6 Yankees.

Conclusion

Rodon had to pitch well in this game, as the Yankees faced elimination.  The Yankees needed to score first and hit home runs. Carlos Rodon pitched only 2.2 innings, failing to justify his lofty contract. There is a reason Yankees fans do not trust him. That was it. With the win, the Yankees staved off elimination and play the Blue Jays again tomorrow in Game 4.