As the Major League Baseball season charges towards its climax, the New York Yankees find themselves in a thrilling race within the tightly-contested AL East. With a record of 73-53, the Yankees trail the Baltimore Orioles by just half a game, positioning themselves as serious contenders with the third-best record in the league. However, their performance since July 1 has been a mixed bag, posting a 19-21 record, juxtaposed with the Orioles' 21-22 over the same period.
Holmes' Troubles in the Spotlight
Central to the Yankees' recent struggles has been Clay Holmes, who has endured a particularly challenging season as the team's closer. Leading the Major Leagues with the highest number of blown saves, Holmes' difficulties were poignantly highlighted in the Yankees' 9-5 loss, in 12 innings, to the Cleveland Guardians during the Little League Classic. This marked Holmes' tenth blown save of the season, the most for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987.
Despite his issues in high-pressure situations, Holmes maintains a respectable 2.82 ERA and boasts a formidable ground ball rate of 67.6% across 40 innings. His capabilities are evident, yet the timing of his slip-ups has been detrimental. In significant games this season, including a blown save on April 3 and a surrendered three-run lead against the Seattle Mariners on May 20, Holmes has struggled to seal victories. Additionally, Holmes allowed a game-tying two-run homer to Masataka Yoshida on July 5, further exacerbating his challenges.
Yankees' manager Aaron Boone, however, remains confident in his closer’s ability to turn things around. “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. Demonstrating tactical flexibility, Boone added, “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well.”
Relief Corps: A Mixed Bag
The Yankees' bullpen, while grappling with Holmes' inconsistency, is still a bright spot with top 10 rankings in both ERA and win probability added. Yet, it's not devoid of its troubles. Setup man Luke Weaver has emerged as New York’s most reliable reliever, offering a steadying presence in the latter innings. Nevertheless, the bullpen has had its share of turbulent performances.
Mark Leiter Jr., acquired from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline, has struggled to find his groove in pinstripes, allowing seven runs and 23 baserunners over just 9 1/3 innings. Such performances place additional strain on the Yankees' relief efforts, emphasizing the need for consistent and dependable options as the season narrows down to its final stretch.
Focus on the Finish
As the Yankees aim to overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff position, the spotlight remains on their bullpen, particularly Holmes. The team's 3-7 record in games where Holmes has blown a save doesn’t obscure his promise; rather, it magnifies the impact a turnaround in his performances could have. Holmes' ability to rebound could very well determine the Yankees' fate in the closing weeks of the season.
Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, Holmes has faced more left-handed hitters than right-handed hitters this year, a detail that Boone could play to his advantage depending on matchups. His path to redemption lies in both his proven skills and his mindset under pressure. As the Yankees continue their charge towards October, the resilience and execution of their bullpen, led by a hopefully resurgent Holmes, will be critical in their quest for playoff glory.
The narrative of the Yankees’ season has been one of highs and lows, and as they approach its denouement, the final chapters will hinge upon Holmes and his fellow relievers. For now, all eyes in the Bronx and beyond will be watching closely to see if they can rise to the occasion.