If there is one thing the Yankees are quite clear about heading into the postseason, it is that the leaders of their starting rotation will be Max Fried and Carlos Rodon. Barring a very abrupt change of plans depending on the opponent they face in the first playoff matchup, the American left-handers will have the responsibility of leading the staff and paving the way for a possible World Series,
Fried and Rodon have been real workhorses in 2025, not only because of their workload, but because they have contributed 35 wins between them throughout the season, almost 40% of New York’s victories. This is no small detail, considering that the Bronx Bombers began the season with question marks over injuries to ace Gerrit Cole, who will not return to the mound until 2026, and Luis Gil, the 2024 Rookie of the Year,
With those injuries, the lefties had to step up, but there was not full confidence among the fans that they could perform at the highest level. But fortunately for manager Aaron Boone and the Yankees’ front office, both have pitched up to the level of their multi-million dollar contracts,
A duo not seen in 46 years
In the list of pitchers with the most wins in 2025, Max Fried and Carlos Rodon occupy the 1-2 spots in the American League, with the peculiarity that they have also maintained dominance against their rivals. Fried, for example, has 18 wins and an ERA of 2.92, while Rodon has 17 wins and an ERA of 3.04.
In the last 50 years, only nine Yankees pitchers have achieved at least 17 wins with an ERA under 3.05 in a season, including Fried and Rodon on a list that also includes CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte, Jimmy Key, Ron Guidry, Tommy John, Ed Figueroa and Catfish Hunter.
Interestingly, since 1979, 46 years ago, New Yorkers have not had more than one starter with these numbers. That season Guidry had 18 wins and led the American League in ERA (2.78), while Tommy John won 21 games with a 2.96 ERA. That season, Luis Tiant Jr. (13) and Ron Davis (14) also reached double digits in victories, but the team could not advance to the postseason.
Now the story has been different. With Fried and Rodon at the helm of the rotation, the Yankees have the second-best record in the American League and lead the wild-card race, guaranteeing they will play that first round of the playoffs at home.
At Yankee Stadium, the two lefties have been dominant. Fried has a 2.46 ERA pitching at home, while Rodon’s is 2.87. It will be very important for them to maintain that level at the start of the postseason, when the Yankees hope to travel again to the World Series and win a crown that has eluded them since 2009.
Of the eight teams that have had two pitchers with at least 17 wins and an ERA under 3.05 this century, half have reached the World Series and two of them (Arizona in 2001 and Houston in 2022) went on to win the championship.
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