LOS ANGELES — In a nostalgic nod to baseball history, Carlos Rodon prepares to pitch on the same Dodgers mound where Fernando Valenzuela once dominated with a 147-pitch complete game against the Yankees in the 1981 World Series. Currently, Rodon’s postseason workload has peaked at 93 pitches, a figure that reflects modern baseball’s trend towards shorter outings. While Rodon appreciates the advancements in analytics and the rise of formidable bullpens, he admits a fondness for the days when starters routinely pitched deep into games.
Reflecting on a recent Yankees loss at Dodger Stadium, Rodon expressed his admiration for an era when pitchers throwing 130 pitches was commonplace and anything less than six or seven innings was considered subpar. Modern game strategies now frequently limit starters to two trips through the lineup, relying heavily on the bullpen. The Dodgers exemplify this shift, as they often deploy bullpen games throughout the postseason.
Despite these changes, the Yankees’ rotation remains robust, with Rodon expected to play a crucial role in their pursuit of a 28th title. After enduring a challenging first season in The Bronx, Rodon has rebounded significantly, delivering solid postseason performances. His contribution was pivotal in the ALCS win in Cleveland, and he anticipates making an even greater impact in his next start.
Rodon credits his comeback to newfound confidence and a commitment to optimizing every performance this season. “Confidence in my ability and in myself,” Rodon shared. “I wanted to be confident, to make every start count. It’s been working, but there’s still one more goal my teammates and I are striving for.”
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