Yankees and Angels Forced to Adapt After Rainout in Bronx
The rhythms of the baseball season often take unexpected turns, and for the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday night was precisely one of those moments. With a rainout disrupting the series opener in the Bronx, both teams were left to rethink their starting rotations and strategize for the days ahead.
For the Yankees, this unscheduled pause came on the back of a Monday off-day, providing an unexpected extension of rest. Yankees manager Aaron Boone took the opportunity to adjust his starting rotation, deciding to skip Marcus Stroman's scheduled start.
Stroman last took the mound on Friday, and with Boone’s adjustment, he is now slated to return on Sunday, August 11. This additional rest extends his downtime to eight days before facing his next opponent. Boone seemed to be strategic in his decision, stating, "I just felt like there'd be some benefit in Stro having a couple of bullpens to work through some things."
In light of the rainout, the Yankees will confront the challenge of a doubleheader on Wednesday. However, Boone can approach this doubleheader with considerable flexibility and a strategic mindset. With pitchers like Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Ródon, and Gerrit Cole available, Boone has a robust lineup to manage the day’s workload effectively. Will Warren will take the ball for the second game on Wednesday, further showing Boone's confidence in his rotation's depth.
The rotational adjustments also play into the broader strategy for the Yankees in the coming days. With a current record of 67-46, the Yankees sit at the top of the AL East, albeit by a narrow half-game margin. Ensuring their pitchers are well-rested and strategically deployed is paramount as they seek to maintain and build their lead.
Stroman's Performance and Adjustments
Stroman’s season has been a tale of two halves. Despite an impressive start with a 6-2 record and a 2.82 ERA over his first 14 starts, his form has faltered in recent outings. Over his last eight starts, he has managed just one win against four losses, with his ERA spiking significantly to 6.87.
In recent appearances against formidable opponents, Stroman has struggled. He gave up five runs on nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings against Boston. Similarly, in a bout against the Toronto Blue Jays, he allowed seven runs on eight hits in merely 2 2/3 innings. These difficulties were compounded by a noticeable decrease in his four-seam fastball velocity, averaging 88.8 mph compared to his season average of 89.8 mph.
Boone remains cautiously optimistic about Stroman’s return to form, particularly valuing the extended break as a chance for the pitcher to regroup. "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 noted.
The rainout and the resulting schedule reconfiguration might prove beneficial for the Yankees, giving Boone the chance to strategically rest and rotate his pitchers as the season enters a critical phase. As the team takes on the doubleheader challenge and prepares for the upcoming games, their performance in these rearranged fixtures could be crucial in maintaining their edge in the AL East standings.