Zack Wheeler vs Carlos Rodon To Face Off In Game 3

Zack Wheeler pitches for the Philadelphia Phillies against Carlos Rodon in a great pitching matchup as the Yankees attempt to salvage a game of the three-game series. Wheeler is one of the best pitchers in the National League, and the fact that the Yankees have Rodon going for them is meaningless.

If Wheeler pitches to his capability, he will spellbind the free-swinging Yankees. The Yankees are coming off two demoralizing defeats at the hands of the Phillies, and they are up against it in facing Wheeler. Do you think the Yankees have a chance to win?

Game 3 Pitching Preview: Zack Wheeler vs. Carlos Rodon

Former New York Met Wheeler is a difficult pitcher for the Yankees to face. They have trouble scoring runs, strike out too much, and now have their best hitter on the injured list. Wheeler announced he plans to retire after the 2027 season. He is reminding fans of Sandy Koufax, who retired at the top of his game.

Wheeler is at the top of his game. The Yankees are throwing one of their aces in Rodon, but he has struggled lately, and the Yankee bullpen is bad. The third game the Yankees play against the Phillies is likely going to be a loss for them and a sweep at home at the hands of the Phillies.

Wheeler is 9-3 with a 2.39 earned run average. He has 164 strikeouts in 128 innings pitched. These are great statistics, and the fact that Wheeler is a strikeout pitcher is no good news for the Yankees. He could win the Cy Young Award in the National League. He is currently 35 years old and will be 37 when his contract expires in 2027. He says his family comes first, which is a good thing for batters whom Wheeler is torturing.

Rodon is 10-7 with a 3.10 earned run average. He is coming off a start against the Toronto Blue Jays, who now have the best record in the American League, where he struggled to pitch five innings. Plus, he is susceptible to the long ball. Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and the rest of the heavy-hitting Phillies spell trouble for Rodon. If he falters, who will Manager Aaron Boone turn to?

Mistakes Kill Again

In this loss, the Yankees made another error. On a likely double play ball, Yankee Second Baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. booted a likely double play ball and failed to get an out. The next batter, Schwarber, hit a two-run home run. To be fair, the Yankees were already losing the game 5-1, but this was yet another mistake that led to runs.

That was the only error the Yankees committed. It was pretty good as they had been making two errors a game for a week. What was even better was that the new third baseman, Ryan McMahan, made a sparkling defensive play. His defensive excellence will shore up the defense on the left side of the Yankee infield.

Costly Injury: Disaster Avoided

Yankee slugger Aaron Judge is headed to the 10-day IL with a flexor strain in his elbow. The fact that the key to the Yankees’ batting order is going to the injured list is bad news. However, the silver lining to this injury is that it is not a torn UCL, which would require Tommy John Surgery. Boone said when Judge returns to the lineup, he will do so as the designated hitter so he does not have to throw, thereby taxing his injured right elbow.

That sets up an interesting conundrum. When Judge comes back, what do they do with slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who hit his seventh home run Saturday? That is impressive. He just got back from the injured list himself.

Final Thoughts

The Yankees will face an excellent pitcher in Wheeler. Sunday is likely to be a difficult game for them, and they may get swept at home by the Philadelphia Phillies. Fans wonder what happened to the suddenly impotent Yankees, who cannot field, hit, or pitch. After the Phillies, the Yankees welcome the Tampa Rays to Yankee Stadium. The Rays often give the Yankees a difficult time.