The New York Yankees find themselves in a challenging yet promising position as the season progresses, holding a robust record of 73-53 and trailing the Baltimore Orioles by a mere half-game in the AL East standings. Despite their impressive standing, the Yankees have faced consistency issues, particularly within their bullpen.
August has highlighted some obstacles for the Yankees, mainly stemming from closer Clay Holmes. Holmes, who leads MLB in blown saves, has struggled significantly in crucial moments. His latest misstep occurred during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, where the Yankees ultimately fell 9-5 in a grueling 12-inning contest. Holmes’ tenth blown save this season is the highest for a Yankee since Dave Righetti’s 13 in 1987.
Examining his performance more closely, Holmes holds a respectable 2.82 ERA and an impressive ground ball rate of 67.6% across 40 innings. Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, Holmes has faced more left-handed hitters than right-handed hitters, hinting at potential matchup issues. His early-season woes included a blown save on April 3 and surrendering a three-run lead against the Seattle Mariners on May 20, followed by giving up a game-tying two-run homer to Masataka Yoshida on July 5.
Manager Aaron Boone remains optimistic about Holmes’ ability to rebound. “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. Recognizing the volatility in save situations, Boone remarked, “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well.”
The Yankees have witnessed a 3-7 record in games where Holmes has blown a save, contributing to a lackluster stretch since July 1, during which they have gone 19-21. Conversely, their AL East rivals, the Orioles, have posted a close 21-22 record in the same period, suggesting a tight competition for the top spot.
Despite the struggles with Holmes, the Yankees' bullpen has been a bright spot overall. Ranked in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added, the bullpen has often been a key factor in the team's success. Setup man Luke Weaver has emerged as New York’s most reliable reliever this season, providing some stability in late innings.
In an effort to bolster their bullpen, the Yankees acquired Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. However, Leiter's performance has been shaky, allowing seven runs and 23 baserunners over just 9 1/3 innings in pinstripes.
With the Orioles in their sights, the Yankees aim to overtake Baltimore and solidify their playoff position. This goal hinges significantly on Holmes’ ability to recover and deliver under pressure. Boone's confidence in Holmes suggests that the club believes in his potential to turn things around and contribute effectively in the closing weeks of the season. The Yankees' faith in their bullpen will be crucial as they navigate the final stretch of what has been a rollercoaster season.