For better or worse, Carlos Rodon pitches with a lot of emotion.
That's the case at a random weeknight game in April or in front of a sleepy crowd on the street.
But on Monday night, the stakes are about to be raised at Yankee Stadium, and Rodon plans to put on the pinstripes and lean into the atmosphere for the first game of the playoffs.
The left-hander will have the ball in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Royals, looking to muster the energy of a raucous home crowd to give the Yankees a chance to take a 2-0 series lead.
“The energy definitely gives me energy,” Rodon said Sunday after pitching at Yankee Stadium in preparation for Monday's opener. “I think I've got to take advantage of that and bring it to the plate. But I'm definitely going to use it. I'm definitely going to try to use it to my advantage.”
Rodon, who was in the dugout for Game 1 Saturday night, called the energy of the sellout crowd of 48,790 “pretty spectacular.”
Of course, riding the wave of emotion can go both ways, especially in the postseason.
Rodon has pitched in the playoffs just twice in his career (four runs in 2/3 innings in two games against the White Sox in 2020 and 2021), but said he could benefit from that experience on Monday. I'm looking forward to it.
“I think it’s like sometimes you have to slow down,” Rodon said. “It really speeds things up, especially in big situations.”
Rodon recalled the final game of the 2021 playoffs, Game 4 of the ALDS against the Astros.
He was “psyched up” to start in a do-or-die game for the White Sox, but the first pitch he threw was tagged for a double by Jose Altuve.
So Rodon stepped back behind the mound, looked at the ground, took a breather, and then retired the next three batters, leaving Altuve at third base.
However, things escalated after two innings when he was eliminated from the game after striking out a batter, giving up a walk, and allowing a two-run double.
“I think you’re pretty rushed early in your career,” Rodon said. “Of course, there are times when it still happens. I think that's the kind of person I am. It's a fine line, and it can go both ways, so it's very high highs and very low lows.” It's a double-edged sword. I want to stay on the right side of the line as we move up.”
The downside of Rodon's fiery demeanor appeared more frequently during his first season with the Yankees last year.
That included blowing a kiss to a fan taunting him at Angel Stadium and then, in a disastrous final game at Kauffman Stadium, skyrocketing his season ERA to 6.85 in 14 starts and taking a mound visit. That included turning his back on pitching coach Matt Blake.
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However, Rodon spent most of this year in redemption, starting 32 games and posting a 3.96 ERA.
It wasn't all plain sailing — he posted a 9.67 ERA in six straight games heading into the All-Star break, allowing nine home runs in 27 innings — but he was much better before and after.
Now, he'll make his first playoff start for the Yankees and have a chance to use momentum and the home crowd on his side.
“I think Carlos always has that intensity, no matter what game he's in,” manager Aaron Boone said Sunday. “I expect it to be there, and part of that includes harnessing it and channeling it in the right way. So hopefully he'll be able to do that.” [Monday] night. ”
Rodon has faced the Royals twice this season, giving up one run in seven innings at Kansas City in June, and giving up four runs (earned) in six innings against the Royals at Yankee Stadium last month. 2) was allowed.
If he can achieve similar results the third time, he will be able to take the Yankees control of the series.
“It's going to be a little different,” Rodon said. “It's going to be louder. Games like this are pretty important. It's one of those things where I go out there and take that energy and take it and use it to the plate and control what I can control.” I think it's one.
