Stroman seizes moment to claim Yankees playoff slot but insider predicts conditions

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Marcus Stroman’s latest outing against the Royals showed flashes of the form he had displayed throughout much of August, suggesting his recent struggles may have been a blip rather than a trend. The pitcher, who felt his sinker was working well, allowed three runs and kept the Yankees in contention—a performance that could bolster his case for a spot in the postseason rotation.

Stroman’s effort, which included 5 1/3 innings of three-run ball on seven hits, wasn’t enough to overcome the Yankees’ offensive woes against Kansas City starter Seth Lugo. Lugo dominated, holding the Yankees scoreless in a 5-0 Royals win at Yankee Stadium.

Manager Aaron Boone noted that Stroman made a few key mistakes with runners on base that allowed Kansas City to extend their lead. Despite those miscues, the Yankees skipper considered his performance solid, especially given Lugo’s lights-out outing, which made the margin feel wider than it was.

Stroman’s chances of making the postseason rotation likely hinge on his strong August stretch, where he posted a 2.53 ERA over his final four starts, dropping his season ERA from 4.10 to 3.81. Those outings could prove pivotal as the Yankees weigh their options for the playoff rotation.

With Gerrit Cole locked in as the ace, the Yankees face a crowded competition for the remaining spots, with Stroman battling Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, and Nestor Cortes. One of them, potentially even Stroman, might find themselves shifted to a bullpen role in October.

As the season winds down, each of Stroman’s starts carries added significance. In his latest appearance, he was matched against a dominant Lugo, and while he couldn’t quite keep pace, the pitcher’s outing still gave the Yankees reason to consider him as a viable option for the postseason rotation.

Marcus Stroman delivered a steady performance against the Royals, but a string of well-placed singles ultimately undercut his efforts. Though he avoided giving up extra-base hits, seven singles piled up, contributing to Kansas City’s scoring. A key play occurred in the third inning when Salvador Perez turned a slurve into a pivotal RBI single, sending Bobby Witt Jr. home from first base for the Royals’ second run of the frame.

Despite allowing baserunners in all six innings he pitched, Stroman felt his mechanics were more in sync compared to his previous start against the Rangers, which aligned with Aaron Boone’s pre-game analysis that Stroman’s success hinges largely on his command.

Stroman didn’t feel major changes were necessary; instead, he aimed to recapture the consistency that fueled his strong August, during which he allowed just six runs across four starts. His focus remained on keeping the Yankees close, recognizing the team’s capability to rally at any moment. “I’m just trying to keep us within three runs or less,” he said.

On this night, Stroman held the Royals to three runs, marking the 20th time in his 28 starts this season that he’s kept opponents at three runs or fewer. However, with Kansas City’s Seth Lugo delivering a dominant outing on the other side—a matchup that could repeat in the postseason—Stroman’s commendable effort fell short as the Yankees were shut out.

Insider foresees Yankees dropping Stroman for playoff

The Yankees’ postseason positioning will influence their roster construction, with one starting pitcher potentially at risk of exclusion. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic suggests that if the Yankees clinch the division, right-hander Marcus Stroman might be left off the roster for the initial round. Kirschner notes that Stroman’s pitching style may not translate well to relief work, and his routine-focused approach as a starter could be disrupted by bullpen duties.

However, Kirschner posits that failing to win the division could necessitate a fourth starter, potentially for the opening game of the division series if the wild-card round goes the full three games.

“If the Yankees win the division, Stroman could find himself off the roster for the first round,” he said. “He does not have elite stuff that would play up out of the bullpen, and he consistently mentions how process-oriented and routine-focused he is as a starter. Coming out of the bullpen would disrupt his process and routine.”

Despite demonstrating valuable leadership qualities, Stroman’s on-field performance has become problematic. Since June 1, his statistics over 16 starts reveal a 5.35 ERA, 54 strikeouts, 31 walks, and a 1.62 WHIP across 79 innings. The team’s record in his starts during this period stands at 9-7.

Stroman’s performance metrics are concerning when compared to other qualified starting pitchers this season. His 17% strikeout rate ranks third-lowest in Major League Baseball, while his 7.6% strikeout-to-walk ratio is the lowest in the league.

The Yankees’ current six-man rotation requires decisions regarding Stroman, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, and Nestor Cortes. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon are expected to lead the rotation in a series. Gil appears to have secured the third starter position, while Schmidt has recently returned from a lengthy injury absence.

Cortes has struggled with consistency but could potentially add value as a left-handed bullpen option, regardless of his personal preferences.

If Schmidt maintains his pre-injury form, it becomes challenging to justify Stroman or Cortes for the final rotation spot. While Schmidt’s bullpen experience offers flexibility, his value as a starter this season has been significant.

The Yankees’ management of this situation will be closely watched, as relying heavily on Stroman in the postseason could be risky given his recent performance issues.

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