The New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels found themselves at the mercy of Mother Nature on Tuesday night, as rain forced a postponement of the game in the Bronx. This unexpected rainout pushed Yankees manager Aaron Boone to reconsider his starting rotation strategy, leading to some notable adjustments.
The rain-induced pause came on the heels of the Yankees’ day off on Monday, giving the team an additional break but also shaking up their planned pitching schedule. One of the key changes involved Marcus Stroman, whose scheduled start was skipped by Boone. Stroman, who last took the mound on Friday, is now set to return on Sunday, August 11, after eight days of rest.
Boone's decision to delay Stroman's start was strategic. "I just felt like there'd be some benefit in Stro having a couple of bullpens to work through some things," Boone explained. Despite the change, Boone remains confident in Stroman's current form. "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."
Yankees Prepare for Doubleheader
The Yankees now face the challenge of a doubleheader on Wednesday, which requires a flexible approach to their pitching rotation. With Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Ródon, and Gerrit Cole ready to take the mound, Boone has the luxury of options to navigate the twin bill. Will Warren is slated to pitch the second game of the doubleheader, providing a strategic alignment for the Yankees' rotation in the days ahead.
Stroman's recent performance has been a mixed bag, with his early-season success giving way to struggles in his last few outings. Over his first 14 starts, Stroman posted an impressive 6-2 record with a 2.82 ERA. However, his recent form has been less stellar, managing just one win against four losses and an elevated ERA of 6.87 in his last eight starts. Notably, against Boston, Stroman allowed five runs on nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings. Another difficult outing saw him give up seven runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays.
There has also been a slight dip in Stroman’s velocity, with his fourseam fastball averaging 88.8 miles per hour compared to a season average of 89.8 mph. Despite these setbacks, the Yankees remain optimistic about Stroman’s potential to bounce back with the extra rest and bullpen sessions.
Yankees at the Top
As it stands, the Yankees hold a 67-46 record, maintaining a narrow lead at the top of the AL East by a half-game margin. Their strong position in the standings underscores the significance of strategic decisions like Boone’s in optimizing the team’s performance through the long grind of the season. The adjusted rotation and the upcoming doubleheader will test the Yankees' depth and resilience, as they aim to maintain their edge at the top of the division.
The traditional rhythms of the baseball season often take unexpected turns, and Tuesday night’s rainout in the Bronx was a clear reminder of this. For the Yankees, the focus now shifts to how effectively they can manage their rotation and maintain momentum in the face of these unforeseen challenges. Boone’s strategic adjustments, including the key decision to give Stroman extended rest, highlight the delicate balance managers must strike in navigating the demanding MLB schedule.