In the world of baseball, the rhythm of the season can often be as unpredictable as the weather. Such was the case on Tuesday night when a rainout in the Bronx forced both the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels to pivot and reconsider their starting rotations.
An Unscheduled Pause
The Yankees had already enjoyed a day off on Monday, and the unexpected pause on Tuesday allowed manager Aaron Boone to make some strategic adjustments. Most notably, Boone opted to skip Marcus Stroman's scheduled start, giving his pitcher additional time to recalibrate.
"I just felt like there'd be some benefit in Stro having a couple of bullpens to work through some things," Boone explained. Stroman, who last took the mound on Friday, is now slated to return to action on Sunday, August 11. This recalibration will see him facing opponents with a valuable eight days of rest.
Doubleheader Challenge
Wednesday's doubleheader against the Angels is now the focal point for the Yankees. With pitchers Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Ródon, and Gerrit Cole all available, Boone has the flexibility to approach the day's games with a well-rounded and strategic mindset. The second game will see Will Warren taking control of the mound, completing the Yankees' rotation puzzle for the immediate future.
The adjustment is not without its strategic merits. With their current record standing at 67-46, the Yankees are clinging to the top spot in the AL East, leading by a mere half-game margin. Maintaining this lead is critical, and the restructured rotation is designed to keep the team in peak competitive form.
Stroman's Struggles
For Marcus Stroman, this period of rest and adjustment is particularly important. His performance over his last eight starts has been less than stellar, managing just one win against four losses, and an elevated ERA of 6.87. This is a sharp contrast to his impressive 6-2 record with a 2.82 ERA over his first 14 starts.
Stroman's recent outings have highlighted some of his struggles. In a game against Boston, he allowed five runs on nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings. Similarly, against the Toronto Blue Jays, Stroman gave up seven runs on eight hits over a mere 2 2/3 innings. Additionally, his fourseam fastball velocity averaged 88.8 miles per hour, a tick below his season average of 89.8 mph.
Managerial Confidence
Despite these challenges, Boone remains optimistic about Stroman's prospects moving forward. "I'm not too concerned about it. I pay attention to it, but I felt like he's in a pretty good place right now as far as some of the things he's been working through and some of the video he's looked at, then how his bullpen went [Tuesday]. So, no, not too concerned. And physically he feels good," Boone said.
Boon’s confidence in his pitcher’s ability to bounce back plays a critical role in the team's overall strategy as they continue to navigate the demanding baseball season. With Stroman expected to use this additional rest to realign and regain his form, the Yankees are hopeful that he can return to being the reliable pitcher they saw at the start of the season.
As the Yankees gear up for the doubleheader challenge and the critical August matchups ahead, all eyes will be on how these strategic moves pay off in their quest to maintain their lead in the AL East.