As the MLB season nears its pivotal final stretch, the New York Yankees find themselves in a competitive race in the AL East. With a record of 73-53, the Yankees are just a half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles, marking the third-best record in the league. However, recent challenges, particularly around their bullpen, have cast some shadows on their playoff ambitions.
A Close Contest in the AL East
Since July 1, the Yankees have struggled to find their footing, posting a 19-21 record. The Orioles, slightly better at 21-22 over the same period, still hold a slim lead. Despite these concerns, the Yankees remain a formidable force, driven by their determination to overtake Baltimore and solidify their postseason position.
Holmes' Blown Saves a Key Issue
One key challenge has been the performance of closer Clay Holmes. Holmes leads MLB in blown saves, with his tenth and latest mishap occurring during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians. In that game, the Yankees ultimately fell 9-5 in an arduous 12-inning battle. Holmes' ten blown saves mark a dubious record, the highest for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987.
Despite these setbacks, Holmes has been a mixed bag overall, holding a 2.82 ERA and an impressive ground ball rate of 67.6% across 40 innings. Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, Holmes has had moments of brilliance, but his inconsistency in critical situations has been glaring.
Boone's Take on Holmes
Yankees manager Aaron Boone remains optimistic about Holmes' future performance. "He’s been unfortunate. He hasn’t made a pitch in a couple of spots where he could, but based on the way he’s thrown the ball the entirety of this year, really you would expect him to have success moving forward. That’s my expectation," Boone commented. Holmes’ ability to rebound could very well determine the Yankees' fate in the closing weeks of the season.
Boone has also indicated a more flexible approach moving forward. “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well,” he remarked. This may involve sharing the closing duties to relieve the pressure on Holmes.
The Bullpen's Ups and Downs
While Holmes has struggled, the Yankees bullpen has generally performed well, ranking in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added. However, the acquisition of Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline has not yet paid dividends. Leiter has allowed seven runs and 23 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings since joining the pinstripes, a worrying start for the new recruit.
Conversely, setup man Luke Weaver has emerged as the Yankees' most reliable reliever this season. Weaver’s stability and consistency have provided a much-needed backbone to the bullpen, offering a glimmer of hope as the Yankees strive to improve their late-game performances.
Looking Ahead
As the Yankees aim to finish strong and make a deep postseason run, their bullpen's performance, particularly Holmes' ability to bounce back, will be critical. Despite the recent setbacks, the Yankees have a solid foundation and a capable roster. With Boone keeping a flexible and tactical approach, they remain well-positioned to chase down the Orioles and secure their spot in October. The coming weeks promise to be an exciting and pivotal period for one of baseball’s storied franchises.