The traditional rhythms of the baseball season often take unexpected turns, as was the case for the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night. A rainout in the Bronx led to unforeseen adjustments in both teams' starting rotations.
For the Yankees, this disruption followed a scheduled day off on Monday. Yankees manager Aaron Boone made a strategic decision to skip Marcus Stroman's scheduled start. Stroman, who last pitched on Friday, will now return to the mound on Sunday, August 11, giving him eight days of rest. This adjustment necessitated a reevaluation of the pitching lineup for the imminent doubleheader on Wednesday.
The Doubleheader Dilemma
With multiple capable starters including Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodón, and Gerrit Cole, Boone has the flexibility to strategize effectively for the upcoming doubleheader. Will Warren is slated to take the ball for the second game on Wednesday, aligning the Yankees' rotation for the critical days ahead.
Boone's decision to rest Stroman isn't without merit. "I just felt like there'd be some benefit in Stro having a couple of bullpens to work through some things," Boone explained. This approach may prove beneficial given Stroman's recent performance trajectory.
Stroman’s Recent Struggles
Stroman’s season has been a tale of two halves. Over his first 14 starts, he posted an impressive 6-2 record with a 2.82 ERA. However, in his last eight starts, he has struggled significantly, managing just one win against four losses and recording an elevated ERA of 6.87. His recent outings have been particularly troubling. Against Boston, Stroman allowed five runs on nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings. Similarly, he gave up seven runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays.
One alarming metric is his fourseam fastball velocity, which has averaged 88.8 miles per hour, compared to his season average of 89.8 mph. Despite these struggles, 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."
The Yankees’ Standings
Currently, the Yankees boast a 67-46 record, placing them at the top of the AL East by a narrow half-game margin. This places added importance on Boone's strategic decisions and the performance of the rotation in the coming games.
As the Yankees prepare for their doubleheader and the subsequent days, the ability to adapt and remain flexible will be crucial. The outcome of Boone’s adjustments, particularly the choice to rest Stroman, will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.