The聽New York Yankees聽took a 1-0 lead in the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday after securing a 5-2 victory.
New York was propelled by left-handed starter Carlos Rod贸n, who pitched an elite 6 innings of work where he conceded just 1 earned run and amassed 9 strikeouts.
While one Yankees left-handed starter was the ALCS Game 1 hero, another Yankees left-handed starter is still on the mend from injury.
Nestor Cortes suffered a flexor strain in his left elbow on September 25 and has not pitched since. While the 29-year-old was left off the Yankees’ ALCS roster, an October 14聽article from SNY’s Phillip Martinez聽provided positive news about his potential return.
“Boone and the Yankees are encouraged by what they’ve seen in the southpaw’s recovery from a flexor strain,” Martinez wrote.
“Boone said that there was a ‘little bit’ of consideration to put him on the ALCS roster but ultimately felt Cortes wasn’t there yet,” he continued.
“‘Really excited how his throwing program鈥檚 gone since he started,’ Boone said in the article. ‘He threw his first pen yesterday, which went well. He felt good today, throwing another bullpen on Wednesday. If that goes well he can do another live over the weekend.
“‘He鈥檚 still a few days behind being ready for this series, probably. We鈥檙e very encouraged by how it鈥檚 going so far,'” Boone continued in the article.
Martinez then added, “If Cortes continues to progress in his throwing program without issue, he can be a piece for a potential World Series roster spot.”
While聽Cortes might be a trade聽asset for New York this offseason, it appears that he may still have a chance to make an impact this postseason.
The聽New York Yankees聽waited to announce their starting pitcher for Game 1 of the ALCS until their opponent was confirmed. Now that the Cleveland Guardians have advanced, the Yankees have made their decision.
On Sunday,聽Chris Kirschner of The Athletic聽reported that left-hander Carlos Rod贸n will take the mound for Game 1 at home, with ace Gerrit Cole slated to start Game 2.
Rod贸n, 31, last pitched in Game 2 of the ALDS, where he started strong by striking out the side in the first inning and retiring six of the first seven batters. However, he ran into trouble in the fourth, allowing four earned runs, including a solo home run to Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador P茅rez, before being pulled after 3.2 innings and 72 pitches, ultimately taking the loss.
He was set to start a potential deciding ALDS Game 5 for New York, but the Yankees wrapped up the series against the Royals in four games. While it could have been strategically justified to delay Rod贸n鈥檚 start in favor of right-hander Clarke Schmidt, who started ALDS Game 3, the Yankees ultimately chose to maintain Rod贸n’s routine.
The New York Yankees聽took a 1-0 lead in the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday after securing a 5-2 victory.
New York was propelled by left-handed starter Carlos Rod贸n, who pitched an elite 6 innings of work where he conceded just 1 earned run and amassed 9 strikeouts.
While one Yankees left-handed starter was the ALCS Game 1 hero, another Yankees left-handed starter is still on the mend from injury.
Nestor Cortes suffered a flexor strain in his left elbow on September 25 and has not pitched since. While the 29-year-old was left off the Yankees’ ALCS roster, an October 14聽article from SNY’s Phillip Martinez聽provided positive news about his potential return.
“Boone and the Yankees are encouraged by what they’ve seen in the southpaw’s recovery from a flexor strain,” Martinez wrote.
“Boone said that there was a ‘little bit’ of consideration to put him on the ALCS roster but ultimately felt Cortes wasn’t there yet,” he continued.
“‘Really excited how his throwing program鈥檚 gone since he started,’ Boone said in the article. ‘He threw his first pen yesterday, which went well. He felt good today, throwing another bullpen on Wednesday. If that goes well he can do another live over the weekend.
“‘He鈥檚 still a few days behind being ready for this series, probably. We鈥檙e very encouraged by how it鈥檚 going so far,'” Boone continued in the article.
Martinez then added, “If Cortes continues to progress in his throwing program without issue, he can be a piece for a potential World Series roster spot.”
While聽Cortes might be a trade聽asset for New York this offseason, it appears that he may still have a chance to make an impact this postseason.
He was set to start a potential deciding ALDS Game 5 for New York, but the Yankees wrapped up the series against the Royals in four games. While it could have been strategically justified to delay Rod贸n鈥檚 start in favor of right-hander Clarke Schmidt, who started ALDS Game 3, the Yankees ultimately chose to maintain Rod贸n’s routine.
Cleveland boasts a league-best 29-11 record against left-handed pitchers this season, posting a .751 OPS against southpaws compared to a .685 OPS against righties.
This trend has continued into the postseason, though their performance has dipped against stronger pitching. In 80 at-bats against right-handers, Cleveland has hit just .213/.267/.325, while they have fared better against lefties, with a .253/.301/.379 slash line in 87 at-bats. Notably, Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal, who won the Triple Crown and is a strong candidate for the AL Cy Young Award, had thrown 17 scoreless innings this postseason until Cleveland scored five runs against him in the fifth inning on Saturday, highlighted by a go-ahead grand slam from Lane Thomas.
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