There Will Be No Stro Show In Seattle | Cy Young Contender Marcus Stroman Will Be Resting His Mind & Body During MLB All-Star Break

There Will Be No Stro Show In Seattle | Cy Young Contender Marcus Stroman Will Be Resting His Mind & Body During MLB All-Star Break

by | Jul 8, 2023 | THE LEAD OFF

For the second time in his career, Marcus Stroman was selected for the All-Star game, but this time around, he won’t be taking the mound. 

 

The 32-year-old has been phenomenal for the Cubs through the first half of the season. In an MLB-high 19 starts this season, Stroman has turned in a 2.96 ERA with a .205 opponents’ average in 112 2/3 innings while leading baseball in quality starts (14). 

 

 

Why Won’t Marcus Stroman Pitch At All-Star Game 

 

A main factor to remember for this decision is that on top of the workload of being the Cubs’ ace, Stroman started this season after ramping things up early to pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. 

 

“It’s been a huge process,” Stroman said. “I’m very thankful for everybody who’s helped me get to this point. I’m definitely looking forward to having a little bit of a break — kind of just reset my energy, clear my mind, and have a good second half.”

 

Fatigue

Fatigue has reared its ugly head in Stroman’s last three starts, as he’s allowed 15 runs over 14 innings in that span. In only two other games this season, the right-hander has allowed more than two runs. 

Travel 

Travel also plays a major part in maintaining a pitcher’s body over the course of 30-35 starts during the 162-game season, and the addition of the WBC, London Series, and Midsummer Classic is a necessary consideration. 

 

“It’s been a lot, as far as travel from London back to here,” Stroman said of the recent schedule. “I’m going to put a priority on my body [and] my mind.”

Cubs Playoff Run

Stroman’s precautionary move could play beneficial in two major ways. The first is the Cubs’ potential second-half playoff run. Sitting just eight games back in the National League Central behind the first-place Reds and six games behind the second-place Brewers, it’s not unprecedented to see a comeback with Stroman leading the rotation at 100%.  

 

“I want my players healthy when they get back,” manager David Ross said. “But like, listen, I don’t ever think it’s healthy for our sport or anybody to think the All-Star Game is something we should not participate in and, and looked down upon.

 

“This is a special honor those guys get. And it’s a great, great opportunity to be around other great players and get experiences and see how other guys do things.”

 

The second major payout for Stroman focusing on his health instead of the Midsummer Classic is the ability to opt out of his three-year, $71 million contract after this season or the possibility of being traded at the deadline on Aug. 1 if the Cubs’ record slips in July. 

 

“That’s the conundrum,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said this week.

 

Stroman has made it clear that he wants to remain with the Cubs organization and is putting his best foot forward to help them make a push after the break.

 

Marcus Stroman Wants To Stay In Chicago, But Cubs Haven’t Offered Him An Extension Despite Cy Young Caliber Season

 

But the team on the North Side of Chicago has a lot of decisions to make about the two-time All-Star and Cy Young candidate.

Giancarlo Stanton Makes First All-Star Game In Five Seasons | Welcome Back MLBbro Soul Patroller

Giancarlo Stanton Makes First All-Star Game In Five Seasons | Welcome Back MLBbro Soul Patroller

by | Jul 18, 2022 | THE THREE SPOT

New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton will be making his fifth All-Star Game appearance on Tuesday and his first appearance as a Yankee.

It’s been five years since Stanton last appeared in an All-Star Game and it will be exciting to see him starting in the outfield alongside teammate and fellow MLBbro Aaron Judge.

Stanton made his debut with the Yankees in 2018 and the spotlight was immediately on him. And he went on to have a pretty productive season, belting 38 home runs with 100 RBI and hitting .266. Those aren’t numbers you see every day, especially when he hit 59 home runs in 2017.

 

Giancarlo Stanton Will Play Key Role In Yankees Contention For World Series Title

 

Coming to New York from Florida, Stanton was immersed in a city whose fans are passionate about their team, whether the team is having success or not.

“I understand how much more distractions and noise are here, but that’s also a learning curve as well,” Stanton told The New York Post. “I wouldn’t say nothing bothers me, but in terms of what I can control, I try not to let outside things bother me in terms of preparation or my mindset or how I perform.”

This season Stanton has been focused out there and he’s been one of the most productive players on the team. It’s no surprise he was named a starter in this year’s All-Star Game.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone has seen a lot of improvement with Stanton throughout the years.

“I think it’s a tribute to him, to be really strong mentally,” Boone said. “If something good or bad with him happens within the context of the game, he’s really good at just continuing to move on, and ultimately that’s such an important quality to have. … He has that, and I think playing here has just sharpened that.”

“He’s learned how to deal with criticism, noise, good and bad. … And I just think that overall speaks to the kind of pro he is.”

The Yankees have the best record in the league and Stanton has certainly played his part in the success of his team.

 

“Every time he steps to the plate,” Aaron Judge said, “if there’s bases loaded or nobody on, he has a chance to swing the game in our favor with just one swing of the bat. So it’s been fun to watch him all year do his thing. I’m still waiting for him to get hot. It’s pretty crazy. … I can’t wait to see him go on one of those streaks.”

Stanton could win his first World Series ring at the end of the season. With all the individual accolades that he has received during his career, a World Series title would be the icing on the cake.

It will be exciting to watch Stanton during the second half of the season and he’ll continue to be focused out there and look to put his team in positions to win ball games.