As the New York Yankees navigate the latter part of the MLB season, a mixture of accomplishments and setbacks defines their journey. With a record of 73-53, the Yankees currently sit just a half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the competitive AL East. Despite holding the third-best record in the league, recent performances reveal areas demanding immediate attention—most notably the bullpen, spearheaded by the struggling closer Clay Holmes.
After a promising start to the season, the Yankees have largely stumbled since July 1, posting a 19-21 record. Interestingly, the Orioles, their closest competitors, haven't fared much better with a 21-22 mark over the same period. This seesawing has kept the division race exceptionally tight, leaving little room for error.
Holmes, acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, has found himself under an intense spotlight for his mishaps. He currently leads MLB in blown saves, with his most recent coming in a dramatic 9-5 loss in 12 innings against the Cleveland Guardians during the Little League Classic. This tenth blown save marks the highest for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987. Despite ostensibly strong numbers— a 2.82 ERA and a ground ball rate of 67.6% over 40 innings—Holmes’ inconsistencies have been costly.
Manager Aaron Boone weighed in on Holmes' challenging season, saying, “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.” Yet for many fans, patience is running thin. Holmes' previous blown saves include squandering a lead on April 3, surrendering a three-run lead against the Seattle Mariners on May 20, and allowing a game-tying two-run homer to Masataka Yoshida on July 5. The Yankees' record is a meager 3-7 in games where Holmes has blown a save.
Holmes has faced more left-handed hitters compared to right-handers, adding another layer of complexity in crafting game plans. Boone appears open to adjusting Holmes' role, stating, “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well." This could mean seeing more of setup man Luke Weaver, who has emerged as New York’s most reliable reliever this season.
Complicating matters, newly acquired pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. has struggled since coming over from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. Leiter has allowed seven runs and 23 baserunners over just 9 1/3 innings in pinstripes, raising questions about his role moving forward.
However, it's not all bad news for the Yankees bullpen, which remains among the league's top 10 for ERA and win probability added. The pitching staff has generally been a bright spot, and with tighter bullpen management, the Yankees could mitigate recent issues.
The Yankees' primary objective remains overtaking the Orioles and solidifying their playoff spot. How Holmes rebounds from his current rough patch will likely play a crucial role in effectuating this goal. Much of the team's fate may hinge on his ability to regain control in save situations, a prospect Boone still believes in.
This sentiment offers a glimmer of optimism amid the Yankees' otherwise turbulent season, exemplifying the high stakes and relentless scrutiny inherent in baseball at the highest level.