As the New York Yankees continue their drive toward a postseason berth, their recent form and bullpen performance have become focal points for analysts and fans alike. Holding a record of 73-53, the Yankees find themselves a mere half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East standings. Despite boasting the third-best record in the league, the team’s journey since July 1 has been filled with challenges, managing only a 19-21 record over that span.
Performance Under Scrutiny
Among the Yankees’ most pressing concerns is Clay Holmes, the right-handed reliever who has earned the dubious distinction of leading Major League Baseball in blown saves this season. Holmes’ latest mishap came during the high-profile Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, where New York ultimately fell 9-5 in a grueling 12-inning contest. This marked Holmes' tenth blown save of the season, the highest for a Yankee since Dave Righetti’s 13 in 1987.
The numbers are stark: Holmes has a 2.82 ERA and an impressive ground ball rate of 67.6% across 40 innings. Yet, the breakdowns in critical moments have overshadowed these statistics. Aaron Boone, the Yankees’ manager, shared his thoughts on the beleaguered reliever, stating, “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.”
Matchups and Managerial Adjustments
Boone’s comments reflect a willingness to adapt, as he implied flexibility regarding save situations: “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well.” Holmes’ subsequent performances will be under close scrutiny as his ability to bounce back could be a pivotal factor in the Yankees’ quest to overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff position.
Adding to the complexity, Holmes has faced more left-handed hitters than right-handed hitters, a situation that may be impacting his effectiveness. The Yankees have a 3-7 record in games where Holmes has blown a save, underscoring the high stakes of his late-inning appearances.
New Faces in the Bullpen
The bullpen has been a mixed bag for New York. While ranked in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added, consistency remains elusive. Notably, Luke Weaver has emerged as the team’s most reliable reliever this season, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the turbulence. Further attempts to bolster the bullpen came at the trade deadline when the Yankees acquired Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs. However, Leiter has struggled to make an impact, surrendering seven runs and allowing 23 baserunners over just 9 1/3 innings in pinstripes.
The inconsistencies of the bullpen and the stark reality of Holmes’ blown saves put added pressure on the Yankees’ pitching strategy. Flashbacks to the season's early months show that Holmes' challenges are not recent anomalies. He was hit with a blown save on April 3 and surrendered a three-run lead against the Seattle Mariners on May 20. On July 5, a game-tying two-run homer to Masataka Yoshida further compounded his woes.
The Road Ahead
As the Yankees enter the season’s critical closing weeks, the bullpen’s performance, highlighted by Holmes’ ability to stabilize, will be decisive. The lineup and starting rotation can only take the team so far if save situations remain fraught with peril. The Yankees have shown resolve thus far, but the path ahead is laden with high stakes and intense scrutiny.