Baseball often takes unpredictable turns, and Tuesday night was just such an instance for the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels. A rainout in the Bronx forced both teams to reconsider their starting rotations, leading to some significant adjustments.
Impact of the Rainout
For the Yankees, the rainout followed a day off on Monday, adding an unexpected break to their schedule. Yankees manager Aaron Boone took this as an opportunity to give his pitchers extra rest. Specifically, Boone decided to skip Marcus Stroman's scheduled start, pushing his return to the mound to Sunday, August 11, after eight days of rest.
"I just felt like there'd be some benefit in Stro having a couple of bullpens to work through some things," Boone explained.
Stroman’s Recent Struggles
Stroman, who last pitched on Friday, has experienced a rough patch lately. Over his last eight starts, he has managed just one win against four losses and has seen his ERA spike to 6.87. His recent outings have been particularly challenging, including a performance against Boston where he allowed five runs on nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings. Against the Toronto Blue Jays, Stroman gave up seven runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings.
Stroman’s velocity has also been a cause for concern. His fourseam fastball averaged 88.8 miles per hour in his most recent games, slightly down from his season average of 89.8 mph. Despite these struggles, Boone remains optimistic about Stroman’s ability to rebound.
"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 said.
Strategic Rotation Decisions
The rainout also led to the need for a doubleheader against the Angels on Wednesday. This scenario has provided Boone with a chance to employ a strategic approach to his pitching rotation. With Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Ródon, and Gerrit Cole available, Boone has the flexibility required to navigate the doubleheader effectively. Will Warren is set to pitch the second game of the doubleheader, a move that will help in aligning the Yankees' rotation for the upcoming days.
Team Performance and Standings
Despite individual challenges, the Yankees hold a 67-46 record and are at the top of the AL East by a half-game margin. A critical part of their success this season has been their managerial decisions and depth in pitching rotation, which will be tested in the coming matches.
Such strategic decisions are crucial as the Yankees push towards securing their standing and preparing for potential postseason play. The ability to adapt to unforeseen events like rainouts and injuries often defines a team's success over a long and grueling season.
As the Yankees continue their campaign, all eyes will be on how well they can manage these adjustments while keeping their eyes on the prize. The hope is that the extra rest will help Stroman return to his earlier form when he posted a 6-2 record with a 2.82 ERA over his first 14 starts, giving the Yankees the dominant pitching they need to maintain their edge in the AL East race.