On a Tuesday night that underscored the unpredictability of the baseball season, the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels found themselves adjusting to an unforeseen rainout in the Bronx. The washout forced both teams to reevaluate their plans, pushing back scheduled rotations and creating a unique set of challenges.
Yankees' Strategic Shift
Yankees manager Aaron Boone made the significant decision to skip Marcus Stroman's scheduled start, initially planned for the night. Boone justified his choice by highlighting the potential benefits of added preparation for Stroman. "I just felt like there'd be some benefit in Stro having a couple of bullpens to work through some things," Boone noted. The decision means Stroman, who last took the mound on Friday, will return with eight days of rest to face the competition on Sunday, August 11.
The unforeseen break followed a day off for the Yankees on Monday, presenting an opportunity for the team to align their strategy for the coming days, a challenge given their upcoming doubleheader on Wednesday. Boone faced this with a strategic mindset, ensuring the rotation's flexibility with available pitchers like Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Ródon, and Gerrit Cole. Additionally, Will Warren is slated to start the second game on Wednesday.
Boone expressed measured optimism regarding Stroman's current condition, despite recent struggles. "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 commented. This belief in Stroman's potential for improvement underlines the manager's long-term vision for his pitcher.
Stroman's Recent Performance
The increased rest period for Stroman could be critical in reversing his recent slump. Over his first 14 starts, he achieved a solid 6-2 record with a 2.82 ERA. However, his last eight outings have painted a different story, with only one win against four losses and a bloated ERA of 6.87. Specific performances, such as allowing five runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings against Boston and seven runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, reflected his current struggles.
Notably, Stroman's velocity has also seen a small but significant dip. During his recent downturn, his fourseam fastball averaged 88.8 miles per hour, a full mile per hour slower than his season average. For a precision pitcher like Stroman, even minor variations can have substantial impacts on performance.
Yankees’ Season Outlook
Despite the challenges, the Yankees maintain a strong position in the AL East with a 67-46 record, holding a narrow half-game lead at the top of their division. The team's resilience and ability to adapt to sudden changes such as the rainout demonstrate the managerial and roster depth that has kept them competitive throughout the season.
As the Yankees gear up for the doubleheader and the rest of the month, Boone's tactical rest for Stroman may prove judicious. The team will be watching closely to see if the extra downtime translates to revitalized performances on the mound. Meanwhile, the flexibility Boone applied to his pitching rotation underscores the well-rounded strategy critical for the Yankees as they aim to sustain their momentum atop the AL East.
For Stroman, the upcoming start on August 11 will be a chance to turn the tides and reinforce his role in the Yankees' rotation. With the support of his manager and a meticulous approach to addressing recent shortcomings, there is cautious optimism that he can return to form, just in time to make significant contributions to his team's postseason ambitions.
In the end, it’s these moments of recalibration and managerial acumen that often define a season. The Yankees and their fans will hope that Tuesday night's rainout, subsequently stretching Stroman's rest period, can play a pivotal role in their quest for success.