MLB WORLD SERIES: YANKEES VS DODGERS

October 30, 2024

Carlos Rodon

Yankee Stadium

New York Yankees

Pregame 5 Press Conference

Q. Carlos, looking back at your last start against these guys, what do you take away from that, and what do you hope to adjust?

CARLOS RODÓN: Not my best obviously. I would have liked to put the team in a better position for a chance to win. It's just kind of one of those where you turn the page.

There's a few things you can look at, kind of how they approach the game. Other than that, they can obviously come out on -- what is it, Friday? Yeah, it would be Friday. They could come out with a totally different approach, but it will be something I'll have to see on how they approach each at-bat, but that's about it.

Q. How badly do you want another shot at them?

CARLOS RODÓN: A lot. Some redemption would be nice. They have such a great club, they're such a great lineup. As a kid, it's something you dream of to pitch in a World Series. To be able to pitch Game 6 would be such a great opportunity.

Q. You're still dealing with the blister?

CARLOS RODÓN: It's fine. I've dealt with blisters before. They come and go, and it's part of the pitching.

Q. But it's gone now?

CARLOS RODÓN: Yeah, blisters are here and there. Like I said, they're either there or they're not. They linger. It's fine, manageable.

Q. This team talked a lot about resilience all year, but you haven't really faced an elimination game until last night when you actually really needed to bounce back. What impressed you about the whole night that you saw?

CARLOS RODÓN: Yeah, it's good offensively just to see the bats turn on like that. That's a big statement. The first three games, if I look at it critically, we didn't swing the bat super well. Obviously we didn't pitch well either or as well as we should have, and we didn't swing the bats as well as we should have.

I thought yesterday was a more complete game for us, more signature for us of how we play baseball. That's the kind of offense we have. So it's good to see.

Q. Carlos, how much trust do you have in Gerrit getting the ball?

CARLOS RODÓN: I wouldn't trust anyone else. He's Gerrit Cole. I was asked this last night. His resume speaks for itself, a future Hall of Famer.

It's going to be a treat to watch tonight. I'm excited to watch him work.

Q. Just kind of on those same lines with Gerrit, after spending so much time with him, aside from the obvious talent, what have you noticed about just mentally and preparation-wise that makes him well suited for these type of games?

CARLOS RODÓN: I don't know. He's such a special mind. Obviously the way he goes about his work and just how he wants to make everyone else around him better and just his mind is so -- I guess the confidence he has within himself and obviously the confidence us as teammates, that we have in him.

He goes out there and steps on the mound and carries it with him. Like I said, I'm looking forward to watching him pitch tonight and see how he works.

Q. How much better are the vibes in there today after you guys get that first win under your belt and on the board?

CARLOS RODÓN: Yeah, it's still Game 5, we're down 3-1. It's still an elimination game, but there's definitely some positivity leading in from last night. Just go out there tonight and leave it all out there once again.

Q. Carlos, just from a preparation standpoint, how do you prepare for a start that you don't know for sure is going to happen? Is there anything with the mindset?

CARLOS RODÓN: Yeah, I think you just take it as we're going to win tonight. Mentally, for me, I'm going to take it as we're winning tonight because I have to be prepared for Game 6. I'm not going to be caught off guard for that.

Q. Carlos, I'm sure you've played with some young, hyped players in your career. What stood out to you about Volpe? You were obviously with him last Spring Training when he was fighting for the starting shortstop job. What have you observed with him?

CARLOS RODÓN: I had the pleasure of facing Anthony Volpe, I think my first live BP last year. I think he hit two homers back-to-back. I know that's not saying too much. I do give up the long ball at times, and I'm not going to lie to myself here.

Both of them were -- I think one was on a fastball up, then it was a slider. I just remember I was a new face last year, and then talking to Booney, I was like, I think this kid needs to be on our team. I remember saying that. I don't know if Booney remembers -- I'm not saying I'm the one that got him on the team, but I thought he was very capable of playing in the Big Leagues.

As you know, last year he shows up and he swings the ball well. I'm not sure how many homers. He hit some balls hard. And defensively he was a Gold Glove. That's pretty hard to do in Yankee Stadium and let alone as a rookie.

I mean, big swing last night from him in a young career. It's pretty soon to be expected from him, I guess, in those big moments. Hopefully that pressure doesn't weigh on him, but what a moment for him with the grand slam and to put us up 5-2. I'm hope for many more moments for him in the future.

It's been a pleasure. Defensively he's been so great. I know offensively this year it's not been super output, but he's such a great baseball player. I mean, he's so dynamic as far as where he can impact the game for us. His ability, his baseball knowledge, and his ability on defense, his ability with base running. He's had an impact on a lot of these games, whether it's stealing bags or defensively making some pretty incredible plays.

Yeah, just looking forward to keep watching him grow and become an even better player.

Q. You've been on several teams. How does each team develop mental resilience in the face of adversity and why do you think it develops with some teams and not others?

CARLOS RODÓN: That's a good question. I think last night was definitely a moment for us. We've played fairly well this postseason, and we've played honestly two very talented teams as well. But we won those series pretty quickly, and they were really good teams. I'm not going to take anything away from the Royals and the Guardians because they were.

Just being down 3-0 -- and I think this is part of the journey, the adversity. No one said it's going to be easy. This is obviously one stepping stone to having our back against the wall, and obviously we have another one tonight. All games are must win at this point.

Then someone asked me -- I don't know when it was. Oh, when I was in L.A. after my start, they said, did you feel like tonight was a must win? And I told them, I feel like any game in the postseason is a must win at this point. We're trying to win them all.

To get to your question, yeah, building adversity, I think there's -- we've had some close games early on in the CS and the DS, but obviously nothing like this. I think this is -- hopefully this adds to our story here.

Q. The narrative going into the game yesterday was the Yankees have to score first, and you guys didn't, but you still won. After the game Aaron was saying, well, we don't want to believe we have to score first because we might not. What do you think as a pitcher?

CARLOS RODÓN: I think it's the team with the most runs at the end that usually does well, if you ask me. It doesn't really matter who scores first.

Q. It doesn't really change anything with how you have to approach or attack anything?

CARLOS RODÓN: No. You're going to feel like you're behind, but like I said, it's pretty simple: Who has more runs at the end of the game, they win. It doesn't matter who scores first, second, third.

I think in these games anything can happen. It's a lot different than the regular season, especially in the World Series. Baseball can be a wonky game. I don't think you necessarily have to score first.

Q. When Anthony Rizzo was in here yesterday explaining why the Yankees still have a shot, he said Gerrit Cole tonight of course and, quote, a pissed off version of you in Game 6. Do you think that's a fair description?

CARLOS RODÓN: Yeah. Hopefully it's the right description. I wouldn't say pissed off but I'm just -- I'm trying to word this the right way.

Q. Word it however you want.

CARLOS RODÓN: I don't know. I'm trying to find the right words for you so you guys can have your quote that you want (laughter).

But I don't know. Mildly upset and under control (laughter). That's too wordy.

Q. Do you find that you pitch well when you're in that sort of head space?

CARLOS RODÓN: Yeah, I think -- there's a happy medium, there's a fine line. I can't be the buddy buddy guy. I can't be the guy that's super, super mad. I have to kind of ride the fence. I can't go left or right.

I think I have to be kind of like a -- I don't know how to put it. I have to be somewhat robotish, but just internally not happy with the other team.