Which Carlos Rodon will show up for Yankees in ALCS Game 5?

CLEVELAND — If you want to believe that Carlos Rodon is going to throw a gem in a big spot for the Yankees, there is statistical support.If you want to believe that Rodon is going to get hit around Saturday by the Guardians, there is statistical support for that argument, too.So, which Rodon will show up for Game 5 of the ALCS? The one with the deep track record of pitching well at Progressive Field? Or the one who was ineffective on the road this season?Manager Aaron Boone is expecting an ace-like performance similar to what Rodon showed at home in Game 1.“I feel great about where he’s at and what he’s going to bring,” Boone said before the Yankees’ thrilling 8-6 win over the Guardians in Game 4 on Friday night.Mostly as a member of the rival White Sox, Rodon has pitched to a 3.08 ERA in 76 innings over 13 career games in Cleveland.One key to his success against the Guardians — no matter the site — has been holding Jose Ramirez to a .217 average with five extra-base hits (zero home runs) and five RBIs in 46 at-bats.“It’s just one of those things where sometimes as players, you show up to certain places and you pitch well,” Rodon said.

“I’m sure we could find somewhere out of the 30 ballparks that I don’t pitch well in.And fortunately, I do pitch well in this one because [Saturday] is going to be a pretty big game.”Rodon did not pitch at Progressive Field during the regular season.

If he did, maybe his home-road splits wouldn’t be as drastic as a 3.11 ERA at Yankee Stadium and a 4.69 ERA away from his home ballpark.He had similar amounts of home runs allowed, walks and strikeouts but just surrendered a lot more hits on the road.“I haven’t paid much mind to it,” Rodon said.“I don’t know.

I can’t tell you why.”Rodon believes ‘What have you done for me lately?’ is the most important factor.And he allowed just a solo home run while striking out nine and walking none to open the ALCS.“I was mindful of where I was em...