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Even as his team stares down elimination in Game 3 of the American League Division Series, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is already planning for Game 4. On Tuesday, Boone declared that Carlos Rodón will take the ball for the Yankees in Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Rays, assuming New York can extend the series.
The announcement came as the Yankees prepared for a pivotal Game 3 on Wednesday in New York. Boone had previously tabbed Max Fried as the starter for that contest, and Fried will now carry the burden of keeping the Yankees' postseason aspirations alive after the club dropped the first two games of the series.
New York's Game 2 defeat was especially painful: a 5-2 loss to the Rays on Monday in which the Yankees committed four errors and managed only three hits. Boone characterized the performance as "a really tough night to say the least for us," but he stressed that the team must quickly turn the page. "We've really got to get over it," he said, underscoring the need for a resilient response under immense pressure.
The predicament feels all too familiar for the Yankees, who were eliminated by the Toronto Blue Jays in last year's ALDS. Now, with Tampa Bay holding a 2-0 series lead, New York once again faces the threat of an early postseason exit. Wednesday's Game 3 has become a must-win affair, and Fried and the Yankees must deliver to force a Game 4 and give Rodón the chance to pitch.
For now, Boone's decision to name his Game 4 starter offers a glimpse of the Yankees' plans beyond Wednesday—but first, they must keep their season alive.
Key Analysis
Boone's forward-looking move signals confidence in his club's ability to rebound, yet it also highlights the urgency of the moment. By announcing Rodón for Game 4 before Game 3 is even played, the manager is subtly challenging his team to rise to the occasion. The Yankees' season hinges on a clean, focused performance in Game 3, and anything short of that will render the Game 4 plan moot.
Originally reported by yahoo.