Posted on: July 7, 2023, 09:23h. Last updated on: July 7, 2023, 09:23h.
After missing the first half of the season with a back injury, Carlos Rodon will finally make his debut with the New York Yankees tonight when they face the Chicago Cubs at Yankee Stadium. Rodon, a veteran left-handed pitcher, signed with the Yankees in the offseason and was expected to play a key role in their rotation. However, he has been sidelined with a forearm injury and back pain. Tonight’s game will mark his long-awaited debut in pinstripes.
The Yankees are the favorites to win tonight’s game, with a -175 moneyline. The Cubs will send Jameson Tallion, a former Yankees pitcher, to the mound. Despite the Yankees’ high expectations for Rodon, his delayed debut has affected the team’s pitching rotation and stability.
The Yankees signed Rodon to a lucrative six-year, $162 million contract, hoping he could be their number two pitcher behind Gerrit Cole. Rodon has been one of the top starting pitchers in both leagues over the past two years, making his absence a significant setback for the team’s championship aspirations.
Rodon’s injury troubles began during Spring Training when he experienced discomfort in his left forearm. The Yankees diagnosed it as a strained forearm and initially expected him to miss only a couple of weeks. However, a setback in his rehab led to back pain, which he attributed to a chronic injury. Despite receiving cortisone shots and completing a successful rehab start, Rodon’s debut has been postponed for months.
In addition to Rodon’s absence, the Yankees have faced various injuries to both their pitching staff and position players. Despite these challenges, they currently hold a 48-40 record and are in contention for a wild card spot. FanGraphs estimates their chances of reaching the playoffs at 61.3%.
Looking ahead, the Yankees face tough competition in the AL East. They trail the Tampa Bay Rays by eight games and are only three games ahead of the last-place Boston Red Sox. The Rays are considered the favorites to win the division, while the Yankees are the second-highest team on the odds board at +800 to win the AL East.
Nevertheless, the Yankees face an uphill battle to win the World Series, with FanGraphs projecting their chances at only 3.6%. In AL pennant futures, they rank fourth on the odds board at +700. Despite the challenges, the team remains optimistic about their chances and is eager to see Rodon finally take the mound tonight.
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