I won't say it didn't have its sweaty moments, because the game ended 4-3 in extra innings.However, that still gave us a win on the under.
Any time a game goes into extra innings, you have to get a little nervous, especially with the runner on second rule.We dodged a bullet there, and hopefully we can dodge another one here.Carlos Rodón of the New York Yankees reacts following the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M.
Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., on Aug.19, 2025.
(Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)The New York Yankees look like they are the best team in the American League, and they don't even have their best player.The team is getting some surprise contributions from guys like Paul Goldschmidt, who I thought was done with his days of being a contributor.The team is hitting .241 for the season, and they have one of the better pitching staffs in the game as well.
They are a legitimate World Series contender.The question is if the pieces can all fit together for the whole season.
We've seen multiple teams fall apart after a good half of a year.The Yankees can look at their National League counterpart from last year to know that a good half doesn't assure you of anything.Today, they turn to Carlos Rodon, who has been one of the better pitchers in the Yankees' rotation.
For the season, Rodon is 4-2 with a 3.70 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP.None of those numbers are eye-popping, but for a third starter on the team, they are very welcome.
He hasn't been quite as sharp on the road as he has been at home, throwing to a 4.26 road ERA.The good news for the Yankees is that they seem to have found him to be consistent - he will give you five or six innings and three or fewer runs.
Boston Red Sox hitters don't have a great history against him, batting just .227 in 75 at-bats.Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Sonny Gray throws a pitch during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 30, 2026.(David Dermer/Imagn Im...