Tuesday night brought a moment of unexpected rhythm to the traditional flow of the baseball season for the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels. The Bronx was engulfed in rain, forcing a game postponement that required both teams to reassess their starting rotations.
This unscheduled disruption came immediately after a day off for the Yankees on Monday, prompting Yankees manager Aaron Boone to make significant adjustments. Boone opted to skip Marcus Stroman's scheduled start, deciding instead that Stroman would return to the mound on Sunday, August 11. This strategic pause means Stroman will take the mound with eight days of rest.
Strategic Flexibility Amidst Challenges
The Yankees now face the daunting task of a doubleheader on Wednesday. Boone, however, is approaching this challenge with flexibility and a strategic mindset. With Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Ródon, and Gerrit Cole available, he has a depth of options to navigate through the day's pitching demands. In addition, Will Warren has been slated to take the ball for the second game, aligning the Yankees' rotation smoothly for the upcoming games.
“I just felt like there'd be some benefit in Stro having a couple of bullpens to work through some things,” Boone explained, signaling a thoughtful approach to Stroman’s development and overall performance.
Confronting Recent Struggles
Stroman's season has been a tale of two halves. He began with a strong 6-2 record and a commendable 2.82 ERA over his first 14 starts. However, his recent outings have been less favorable. In his last eight starts, Stroman secured just one win against four losses, and his ERA spiked to 6.87. Notably, against Boston, he surrendered five runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings, and in another game against the Toronto Blue Jays, he allowed seven runs on eight hits in just 2 2/3 innings.
Adding to these difficulties, Stroman’s fourseam fastball velocity has decreased, averaging 88.8 miles per hour compared to his season average of 89.8 mph. Despite these setbacks, Boone remains optimistic.
“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 shared.
The Road Ahead
The Yankees, boasting a 67-46 record, are perched at the top of the AL East by a narrow half-game margin. This positioning underscores the importance of every strategic decision and adjustment Boone makes moving forward. Maintaining focus and optimizing the rotation will be key for the Yankees as they navigate the rest of the season, particularly in light of recent disruptions and the demands of a doubleheader.
The adaptability shown by Boone and the expected return of Marcus Stroman after a period of rest could be pivotal. The upcoming stretch will certainly test the Yankees' depth and resilience as they aim to fortify their lead in the AL East and build momentum for the games to come.