The traditional rhythms of the baseball season often take unexpected turns, and for the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday night was one of those moments. The Bronx witnessed a rainout, compelling both teams to rethink their starting rotations and adjust their strategies for the coming days.
This unscheduled pause followed a day off for the Yankees on Monday. Yankees manager Aaron Boone decided to skip Marcus Stroman's scheduled start, rescheduling him to return to the mound on Sunday, August 11, which means Stroman will face the competition with eight days of rest. "I just felt like there'd be some benefit in Stro having a couple of bullpens to work through some things," Boone stated.
The Yankees will face the challenge of a doubleheader on Wednesday. With pitchers like Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Ródon, and Gerrit Cole available, Boone can approach the doubleheader with flexibility and a strategic mindset. Will Warren will take the ball for the second game on Wednesday, providing further options for the Yankees’ rotation.
This strategic deployment aligns the Yankees' rotation for the coming days, giving them a chance to optimize their lineup and manage players’ workloads. Boone's decision reflects careful consideration of the team’s condition and the upcoming schedule. "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 elaborated on Stroman's condition.
Let's delve deeper into Stroman's recent performance. Over his first 14 starts, Stroman posted an impressive 6-2 record with a 2.82 ERA. However, his recent outings have been less stellar. In his last eight starts, Stroman has managed just one win against four losses, with an elevated ERA of 6.87. A couple of difficult games highlighted this dip in performance; in an outing against Boston, Stroman allowed five runs on nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings, and against the Toronto Blue Jays, he gave up seven runs on eight hits over 2 2/3 innings. Additionally, Stroman’s four-seam fastball velocity averaged 88.8 miles per hour compared to his season average of 89.8 mph, signaling a concerning drop in pitch velocity.
Currently, the Yankees hold a 67-46 record and sit at the top of the AL East by a half-game margin. The team’s ability to maintain their lead during this phase of strategic planning and adaptations will be crucial. Boone's decisions and the players’ responsiveness to these adjustments could significantly influence their standings as the season advances.
The season’s unpredictability is underscored by such scenarios where weather, performance dips, and strategic pivots intertwine. For the Yankees, the immediate future involves navigating these elements with a composed and calculated approach.