The New York Yankees are taking a calculated risk with their pitching strategy for the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
For Saturday’s Game 2 at Dodger Stadium, the Yankees announced that Carlos Rodon will take the mound, following Gerrit Cole, who starts Game 1 on Friday. This setup means Clarke Schmidt will pitch Game 3 when the series moves to Yankee Stadium on Monday.
Rodon’s selection raises eyebrows given his inconsistency away from home. This season, the left-hander recorded a strong 3.11 ERA in New York but struggled on the road, posting a 4.69 ERA. Schmidt, on the other hand, fared far better on the road with a stellar 1.39 ERA, compared to a 4.50 ERA at home. The decision to pitch Rodon on the road and Schmidt at home is therefore seen as a bit puzzling.
Despite the risks, the Yankees are likely banking on Rodon’s experience—he’s a two-time All-Star with a decade in the league—to handle the pressure of a World Series road start. Additionally, using Cole, Rodon, and Schmidt in succession gives the Yankees a righty-lefty-righty rotation, which could disrupt the Dodgers’ hitters. The Yankees also expect additional rotation support later in the series, which could further bolster their pitching lineup.
