Stroman disaster is only half the story of Yankees’ tragedy

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Marcus Stroman delivered a performance that had Yankees fans heading for the exits before some had even settled into their seats. Offense soon joined the downward march, and weather added to the setback at home.

The early-season euphoria surrounding the New York Yankees has evaporated faster than raindrops on Yankee Stadium’s heated infield. Friday night’s humbling 9-1 drubbing by the San Francisco Giants, mercifully cut short in the sixth inning due to a downpour, highlighted just how quickly fortunes can change in baseball.

The veteran right-hander’s nightmare outing saw him throw an astounding 46 pitches while recording just two outs, surrendering five runs on four hits and three walks. The sodden crowd’s patience dissolved along with Stroman’s command, as boos by Yankees fans cascaded down through the frigid rain before the first inning had concluded.

“That’s probably the worst conditions we’ve ever experienced,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said postgame. “We’ve been doing this for a long time. Just one of those nights and as cold as it was.”

Offensive fireworks turn fizzling fuses

Only days ago, the Yankees’ “torpedo bats” dominated baseball conversations nationwide. Their explosive start featured an eye-popping 72 runs in eight games, with 24 homers suggesting this lineup had found a potent new formula for 2025.

Since their 19-run outburst across two games in Pittsburgh, however, the Yankees’ offense has entered hibernation mode. The last five games have yielded a meager 11 runs total with just one home run, as their team OPS has crashed from a stellar 1.011 to a pedestrian .541.

Friday’s homecoming offered no salvation. The biting wind and relentless rain extinguished any offensive spark. Even Austin Wells’ solidly struck fly ball—one that might have cleared the fence on a typical Bronx evening—died unceremoniously in right field. Beyond Anthony Volpe reaching base twice and Wells’ near-miss, the Yankees‘ attack remained dormant.

Star power shortage as Yankees’ lineup goes dark

The Yankees’ vaunted offensive core resembles a row of unplugged appliances. Jazz Chisholm Jr. continues flailing through a 1-for-20 tailspin, looking increasingly uncomfortable at the plate. Free-agent acquisition Cody Bellinger, brought in to provide left-handed thunder, extended his 3-for-21 slump with an 0-for-3 night punctuated by two strikeouts.

Throughout the abbreviated contest, the Yankees managed just four hits against Giants starter Robbie Ray, who was making his season debut. With the lefty efficiently neutralizing New York’s biggest threats and Stroman imploding early, the outcome seemed predetermined from the first inning.

“It’s the ups and downs of the season,” Bellinger said. “No excuses. We’d all like to not be in this position, but we’ll keep fighting to be better. It’s a long year, and these are the kinds of things you have to fight through.”

Stroman’s implosion deepens rotation concerns

Stroman’s inability to navigate the opening frame—requiring 33 pitches before recording a single out—represents a new low for the struggling right-hander, who entered with an already troubling 7.27 ERA that has now ballooned further.

Acquired by the Yankees during the offseason to stabilize a rotation missing ace Gerrit Cole, Stroman has failed to complete five innings in any start this season. Friday’s collapse forced Boone to deplete his bullpen early, turning to Ryan Yarbrough, Ian Hamilton, Tim Hill, and Yoendrys Gómez to cover the remaining innings.

With the Yankees now facing a grueling 13-game stretch without a scheduled off-day, the premature bullpen activation could prove especially costly. While the rain-shortened game spared additional relief innings, it couldn’t mask the fundamental problem: Stroman simply isn’t delivering the innings or quality the Yankees desperately need.

Premature ending, but problems just beginning

The umpires’ decision to call the game in the sixth inning amid deteriorating conditions offered rare mercy for the Yankees team that appeared thoroughly outmatched. The defeat marked New York’s fourth loss in five games—a jarring reversal after their promising 6-2 season start.

For Boone and his staff, the challenge now becomes navigating stormy waters. The schedule offers no respite with the Tampa Bay Rays looming after this series. Stroman was initially penciled in for the series opener, but Friday’s catastrophe may necessitate rotation reconsideration before hitting the road.

Beyond the weather: Deeper issues emerge

With Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt (maybe start next week) expected to shoulder greater responsibility, Stroman’s role appears increasingly precarious if his struggles continue. The organization remains hopeful their offense can rediscover its early-season form, but simultaneous slumps from Chisholm, Bellinger, and even Aaron Judge (hitless Friday) have created a perfect storm of offensive ineptitude.

After this rain-shortened embarrassment, the Yankees face mounting pressure to right the ship immediately.

Friday’s defeat transcends the miserable weather conditions. It exposed vulnerabilities in both the Yankees lineup construction and pitching depth. Stroman’s collapse serves as a flashing caution signal. The power outage, following a record-setting offensive launch, may prove even more troubling. The silver lining? It’s only April. The cloud? These early cracks could widen into season-defining fissures.

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