On Tuesday night, the baseball rhythms in the Bronx took an unanticipated turn as rain forced the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels to rethink their strategies. This unexpected pause came right after a day off for the Yankees, leading to some significant reshuffling in their starting rotation.
Rotation Adjustments
Yankees manager Aaron Boone made a tactical decision to skip Marcus Stroman’s scheduled start. Stroman, who last pitched on Friday, is now set to face the competition on Sunday, August 11. This change provides him with a generous eight days of rest, a move Boone hopes will prove beneficial for the team.
"I just felt like there'd be some benefit in Stro having a couple of bullpens to work through some things," Boone explained, indicating a need for Stroman to regain form and precision. The Yankees, sitting with a solid 67-46 record and just a half-game lead at the top of the AL East, cannot afford any lapses in their tightly contested division race.
Upcoming Challenges
The Yankees face the challenge of a doubleheader on Wednesday, a test of both endurance and depth. Boone’s tactical flexibility shines here, with choices among Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Ródon, and Gerrit Cole bolstering the rotation. Will Warren will take the mound for the second game, allowing Boone to strategically manage his pitching resources over the grueling two-game stretch.
Speaking on Stroman’s performance, Boone remains cautiously 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 remarked.
Stroman's Struggles
Stroman’s recent form has raised some eyebrows. After a promising start to the season, posting a 6-2 record with a 2.82 ERA over his first 14 starts, his performance has waned. In his last eight starts, he has secured just one win against four losses, with a concerning 6.87 ERA. Specific outings have been particularly troubling, such as allowing five runs on nine hits over 3 1/3 innings against Boston and giving up seven runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. Additionally, his fourseam fastball velocity has dipped to an average of 88.8 mph, a notch lower than his season average of 89.8 mph.
A Strategic Pause
Boone’s decision to give Stroman additional rest and bullpen sessions is clearly a move to recalibrate and address these issues. The hope is that this pause will allow Stroman to find his rhythm and improve his consistency on the mound. In a season where every game holds significant weight, especially given their precarious half-game lead in the AL East, the Yankees can’t afford to have their rotation out of sync.
As Wednesday’s doubleheader looms, all eyes will be on how Boone manages his pitchers and how the Yankees respond to the pressing demands of a packed schedule. With key players like Gil, Cortes, Ródon, Cole, and Warren ready to step up, the team’s strategic adjustments could well determine their trajectory in the crucial weeks ahead.