The rhythm of any baseball season can take unexpected turns, and for the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday night was a case in point. The skies over the Bronx opened up, resulting in a rainout that forced both teams to rethink their starting rotations and game plans.
For the Yankees, this interruption came on the heels of a day off on Monday, further complicating their schedule. Manager Aaron Boone made the strategic decision to skip starting pitcher Marcus Stroman's scheduled outing. Instead of taking the mound, Stroman, who last pitched on Friday, will return to face the competition on Sunday, August 11.
“I just felt like there'd be some benefit in Stro having a couple of bullpens to work through some things,” Boone said, justifying the rearrangement. This decision will afford Stroman eight days of rest, an opportunity to reset and perhaps find his form amid a rough patch.
Stroman's Performance and Challenges
The numbers paint a challenging picture for Stroman of late. While he began the season strong, posting a 6-2 record with a 2.82 ERA over his first 14 starts, his recent outings have been less impressive. Over his last eight starts, he's managed just one win against four losses, and his ERA has soared to 6.87. In his last outing against Boston, Stroman allowed five runs on nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings. Following that, he gave up seven runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Stroman's velocity has also dipped, with his fourseam fastball averaging 88.8 miles per hour compared to his season average of 89.8 mph. This has added another layer of complexity to Boone's decision-making process.
“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 reassured.
Yankees Doubleheader Strategy
With the rainout, the Yankees now face the challenge of a doubleheader on Wednesday. This could potentially strain their pitching staff, but Boone appears confident in his available arms. The team has the likes of Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Ródon, and Gerrit Cole ready to step up, giving Boone a range of options and flexibility. Will Warren is slated to take the ball for the second game of the doubleheader.
The Yankees' record stands at an impressive 67-46, and they currently hold a narrow half-game lead at the top of the AL East. Given this, every decision Boone makes carries significant weight, not just for the doubleheader but for the remaining stretch of the season.
Aligning the Yankees
Boone’s strategic deployment of his rotation aligns the Yankees well for the coming days, aiming to maximize their strengths while giving struggling players like Stroman the opportunity to regain their form. As the season progresses, the Yankees will need every arm effective and every bat sharp, particularly when they face high-stakes games.
The unexpected nature of baseball often necessitates quick thinking and adaptability, qualities Boone has displayed in abundance. As the Yankees look ahead, the adjustments made today may well be the difference-makers in their campaign, especially with their quest to maintain their lead in a tightly contested division.