LOS ANGELES – There is nothing like the spotlight of New York, especially when you’re a showman like Marcus Stroman.

 

The Stro Show is off to a sizzling start in 2024. He’s started three games, including the Yankees home opener, and has a 2.12 ERA. HIs first two starts were simply dominant. He gave up zero earned runs and seven hits on 12 combined innings, with 10 total strikeouts. 

 

 

“He’s been terrific, I mean, he’s right in line with how he’s been really the last couple of months building up, execution’s been excellent. Command, excellent, where he wants to be, the misses he wants, staying off the barrel, big pitches in some spots where he’s had to make one, but really sharp,” manager Aaron Boone had to say on Stroman’s build up from spring training to his first two starts.

 

His third start on April 10th was not as terrific, as he gave up four earned runs in the top of the third inning, after allowing a one out single to score one, and a three-run homerun to cap off the inning. He went five innings that day, and even with that tough third inning, he only gave up one combined hit through the other four innings.

 

“I thought the stuff was good, he had good swing and miss going, but just not as sharp, especially with how sharp he was in the first two,” said Boone after Stroman picked up his first loss of the season. 

 

Marcus Stroman Signed Two-Year Deal For $37 Million 

 

Stroman signed a two-year contract worth $37 million in the offseason with the Yankees. He earned his payday with the Yanks after having arguably his best season in 2023 with the Cubs, which included his second career All-Star appearance, a 3.58 ERA, and the best day on the mound he’s ever had: a one-hit shutout against the Rays on May 29th, which included one walk and eight strikeouts.

 

The Yankees are currently 12-4, which is the best record in all of baseball. They’re doing this without Gerrit Cole, who’s expected to be out until late May to early June with a right elbow injury. With their star pitcher out at least the first third of the season, someone needed to step up and fill that hole. So far, Stroman has been that guy.

 

He has the second most strikeouts out of anyone on the team with 17, and is tied with the lowest WHIP of the starting rotation at 1.06.

 

Even with the Yankees being 12-4 and Stroman being their best pitcher, the team is 1-2 when he’s been on the bump. The Yankees offense has only scored one run in the 17 innings that Stroman has pitched.

 

The season is still very young, so the Yankees offense is bound to pick up when Stroman gets the nod. Yankees fans and management shouldn’t have to worry about their pitcher too much when he’s on the mound, as he’s set a standard for himself these past few seasons where excellence is expected.

 

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