Royals infielder enrages Yankees fans by mocking Carlos Rodón ALDS Game 2 trash talk

New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón started Game 2 of the ALDS with maybe the best inning he's thrown all year -- no, maybe the best inning anyone has thrown all year. He was firing on all cylinders to the point where he sought out additional cylinders to fire on. He was dotting fastballs, flipping sliders, and strutting off the mound after every out, wagging his tongue at the Kansas City Royals' dugout after his third consecutive strikeout.

Naturally, the Royals responded by ... waiting it out. After all, they'd seen Rodón allow eight runs in the first inning of his final 2023 start up close and in person. They knew there was always a chance of the worm turning (and the back turning on Matt Blake).

And, wouldn't you know it? The other team in a Yankees playoff series managed to get the last laugh in a game where the home squad was set up for success. That's why the MLB playoffs are so inspirational. If you pour your heart and soul into fandom, and you wait patiently each winter, and watch powerfully each summer then you, too, will eventually be rewarded with a chance to embarrass the Yankees.

Royals leadoff man Maikel Garcia was part of the group responsible for putting up four runs on a far flatter version of Rodón in the fourth inning (he singled in the fourth run of the frame off Ian Hamilton). After the game ended, he was quick to sprint to Twitter to warn Rodón against the evils of party rocking if you can't back it up.

Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón got rocked by KC Royals' Maikel Garcia trash talk

Garcia -- of course -- had a four-hit game, reaching base four times from the leadoff spot despite posting a .281 OBP on the year. These are the things that happen to the modern Yankees in October. These are the types of players they allow to get the last laugh. No one wants to see Garrett Hampson in the clutch, that's for damn sure.

The Yankees still have a few more chances to right the ship, but with momentum flowing in Kansas City's direction and homefield advantage pawned off, they'll just have to hope KC is the one celebrating too early.