Methods and systems for controlling an engine are provided. In some examples, the method includes transitioning from operating a cylinder with a first number of strokes per combustion cycle to a second, lesser, number of strokes per combustion cycle in response to boost pressure rising above a threshold boost value. For example, the cylinder may transition from four-stroke combustion cycles to two-stroke combustion cycles, and the method may further include generating the increased boost via operation of an electric machine coupled to a turbocharger of the engine. In this way, transitions to the second, lesser, number of strokes may be enhances as sufficient boost can already be present.