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, as an unexpected rainout in the Bronx forced both teams to rethink their starting rotations. This unscheduled pause came right after a day off for the Yankees on Monday, adding an extra layer of complexity to their plans.
The Yankees' manager Aaron Boone decided to make a strategic adjustment by skipping Marcus Stroman's scheduled start. Instead, Stroman, who last pitched on Friday, is set to return to the mound on Sunday, August 11. This adjustment means that Stroman will have an extended rest of eight days before facing his next challenge.
Boone's decision comes at a crucial time as the Yankees are set to face the challenge of a doubleheader on Wednesday. The team has options with Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodon, and Gerrit Cole available, giving Boone flexibility and a strategic mindset in approaching these games. For the second game of the doubleheader, the Yankees have designated Will Warren to take the ball.
As Boone explained, “I just felt like there'd be some benefit in Stro having a couple of bullpens to work through some things.” This strategic maneuver aligns the Yankees' rotation more effectively for the upcoming days.
This period of rest could be beneficial for Stroman, whose recent performances have shown some signs of struggle. Stroman's season started strongly, posting a 6-2 record with a 2.82 ERA over his first 14 starts. However, in his last eight outings, he's managed just one win against four losses, with his ERA rising to 6.87. Notably, in his outing against Boston, Stroman allowed five runs on nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings. Similarly, he gave up seven runs on eight hits across 2 2/3 innings when facing the Toronto Blue Jays.
Stroman’s fourseam fastball velocity has also dipped slightly, averaging 88.8 miles per hour compared to his season average of 89.8 mph. These performance metrics point to reason behind Boone's caution and his belief that giving Stroman a bit more time could yield positive results.
Boone shared his thoughts on this decision, stating, "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 come into this period of adjustment with a solid 67-46 record, holding the top spot in the AL East by a narrow half-game margin. As they navigate these schedule changes and strategic decisions, the team demonstrates a proactive approach in maintaining their competitive edge.
With the flexibility offered by their rotation and Boone’s strategic planning, the Yankees aim to bolster their positioning and performance in the upcoming games. Fans and analysts alike will be keenly observing how these adjustments impact the team’s trajectory as the season progresses.