Royals Rely on Cole Ragans as Yankees Call on Carlos Rodon
Kansas City Royals Rely on Cole Ragans as New York Yankees Call on Carlos Rodon
As the tension heightens in the postseason, the Kansas City Royals are set to take on the New York Yankees in Game 2 of their best-of-five series on Monday night. Following a nail-biting Game 1 that ended 6-5 in favor of the Yankees, the Royals will look to even the series, relying on left-handed ace Cole Ragans. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:38 PM EST at Yankee Stadium.
Royals Need a Bounce-Back Performance from Ragans
In the opener, the Royals showcased their potential by taking the lead on three occasions, only to falter as the Yankees rallied back. The Kansas City lineup struggled significantly, with their top hitters—Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez—combining for a dismal 1-for-14 with three strikeouts. Starting pitcher Michael Wacha struggled to find his rhythm, allowing four hits and three walks across four innings.
The Royals’ bullpen, which excelled in their wildcard round against the Orioles, faced a challenging task as they surrendered five hits and three runs in the final four innings, relying on five different arms. With this backdrop, the spotlight now shifts to Ragans, who has emerged as a crucial asset for Kansas City since joining from the Texas Rangers at last year’s trade deadline.
Ragans wrapped up the 2023 season with an 11-9 record and a commendable 3.14 ERA alongside a 1.14 WHIP, striking out 223 batters in 186.1 innings. His road performance has been particularly impressive, boasting a 2.87 ERA over 15 starts. Against the Yankees this season, Ragans secured a no-decision, allowing two runs on three hits across six innings while fanning seven batters at Yankee Stadium. In the wildcard round, he shone brightly, tossing six scoreless innings against the Orioles before exiting due to a calf injury.
Yankees Look to Carlos Rodon for Continued Success
On the opposing mound, the Yankees will lean on the experienced Carlos Rodon, who has enjoyed a resurgent 2024 season. Despite having a six-day hiatus since their last regular-season game, New York displayed resilience in Game 1. After trailing by one run multiple times, they clawed back to secure the victory, highlighted by crucial performances from players like David Wells and Alex Verdugo, the latter overcoming a rough slump to drive in the go-ahead run.
Rodon, who posted a 16-9 record with a 3.96 ERA over 32 starts this season, is a formidable presence. He excelled at home with a 9-2 record and a 3.11 ERA, striking out 91 batters over 81 innings. In two starts against the Royals this year, he boasts a stellar 2.08 ERA, having surrendered just 10 hits in 13 innings while striking out 12 batters. Rodon finished the season strong, going 2-0 in his final five starts with a 2.20 ERA, indicating he is peaking at the right moment for the postseason.
Conclusion
As the Royals look to regain their footing, the outcome of Game 2 will largely depend on Ragans’ ability to control the game and provide length against a tough Yankees lineup. If Ragans can neutralize key hitters, Kansas City has a chance to even the series. Conversely, if Rodon continues his dominant form, the Yankees could take a commanding 2-0 lead before heading to Kansas City.
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