My (over?)reaction to the Yankees Opening Day Game

Game 1 of 162 for the New York Yankees went as close to perfect as a season opener can! Carlos Rodón pitched like vintage Rodón, going 5.1 innings, giving up one run, and striking out 7. He struck out all 3 batters he faced in the 5th inning and ended the game with 89 pitches thrown. Is it too early to say he will win the Cy Young this year?

After Rodón was pulled from the game in the 6th inning, the Yankees bullpen looked unhittable until the 9th. Newly acquired closer Devin Williams came in for his first Yankees save, but it was anything but perfect. He gave up two hits, a walk, and one run. For the last out of the game, the bases were loaded with a full count—just a slightly heart-racing moment in Game 1 of the season.

Yankees’ Offense: Austin Wells, Anthony Volpe, and Cody Bellinger Shine

As for the offense, Austin Wells started the party with a home run, making history as the first catcher to hit a leadoff homer for the Yankees. He did use the short porch in right field to his advantage, as, according to StatCast, his hit would have only been a home run in Yankee Stadium. The next score came from another young buck on the Yanks, Anthony Volpe, who took the ball to the opposite field for his first home run of the season.

The Yankees wouldn’t score again until Aaron Judge hit a ball off third base, leading to a double. The next man up, Cody Bellinger, hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Oswaldo Cabrera to score.

Looking Ahead

The Yankees start 1-0 on the season and look strong with their pitching. After just one game, the only concern I have is whether the offense will continue to produce enough to keep up in high-scoring games.