Tuesday night brought an unexpected twist to the traditional rhythms of the baseball season for the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels. The Bronx was soaked with rain, leading to a rainout that prompted both teams to reconsider their starting rotations.
The Yankees had already experienced a day off on Monday, giving them an additional challenge to navigate as they prepared for a compressed schedule. Manager Aaron Boone opted to skip Marcus Stroman's scheduled start, a decision that pushes Stroman's next appearance on the mound to Sunday, August 11. This allows Stroman eight days of rest, an adjustment Boone believes will benefit the pitcher.
"I just felt like there'd be some benefit in Stro having a couple of bullpens to work through some things," Boone explained, addressing the decision with a calculated tone that speaks to his strategic mindset.
Rotation Flexibility Amid Doubleheader
The Yankees now face the additional challenge of a doubleheader on Wednesday. With pivotal games ahead, Boone has the opportunity to deploy his pitchers with a blend of flexibility and strategy. The rotation is bolstered with the availability of Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Ródon, and Gerrit Cole. This allows Boone to approach the doubleheader with a degree of confidence in his roster's depth.
Importantly, Boone has penciled in Will Warren to take the ball for the second game on Wednesday. This move corresponds with aligning the Yankees' rotation for the days to come, ensuring a strategic approach to their schedule.
Stroman's Recent Struggles
Marcus Stroman's season has been one of contrasts. He posted a commendable 6-2 record with a 2.82 ERA over his first 14 starts. However, recent performances have been less stellar. In his last eight outings, he has managed just one win against four losses, accompanied by an elevated ERA of 6.87.
Stroman's struggles were highlighted during a recent outing against Boston, where he allowed five runs on nine hits in merely 3 1/3 innings. The situation hardly improved against the Toronto Blue Jays, with Stroman giving up seven runs on eight hits in just 2 2/3 innings. This sequence of tough outings saw his fourseam fastball velocity dip to an average of 88.8 miles per hour, compared to his season average of 89.8 mph.
Boone's Confidence in Stroman
Despite these recent challenges, Boone remains optimistic about Stroman's prospects. "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 remarked, emphasizing the importance of process and physical well-being.
Yankees in the AL East
The Yankees, currently holding a 67-46 record, are perched at the top of the AL East, albeit by a slim half-game margin. As they navigate this crucial part of the season, the decisions made now—like resting Stroman—could prove pivotal in their quest to maintain their position and advance further.
In the maze of a baseball season, where unexpected turns and strategic decisions shape outcomes, the Yankees' adaptability and Boone's managerial acumen will be put to the test. With a doubleheader on the horizon and strategic rotations being fine-tuned, the coming days will reveal how these adjustments play out on the field, where every game holds significant weight in the race for October.