The New York Yankees are in the thick of an intense battle for the AL East, holding a record of 73-53 and trailing the Baltimore Orioles by just half a game. Despite having the third-best record in the league, the Yankees have faced struggles since July 1, going 19-21 compared to the Orioles' 21-22 over the same period.
A key factor in the Yankees' recent fortunes has been the performance of their bullpen, particularly in high-pressure situations. Clay Holmes, the team’s closer, has had his share of challenges this season. Holmes, acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, leads Major League Baseball in blown saves. Most recently, he surrendered a save during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, leading to a 9-5 defeat in 12 innings.
Holmes’ tally of ten blown saves this season is the highest for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987. Despite the struggles, Holmes maintains a respectable 2.82 ERA and an impressive ground ball rate of 67.6% across 40 innings. Holmes' difficulties in converting saves have seen the Yankees go 3-7 in games where he has faltered.
Manager Aaron Boone has spoken about Holmes’ tribulations, 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.”
Boone has also indicated a flexible approach to managing save situations moving forward. “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well,” he remarked, suggesting a potential shift in bullpen strategy for the critical games ahead.
Despite the high-profile struggles of Holmes, the Yankees' bullpen remains a formidable unit, ranking within the top 10 for ERA and win probability added. However, their setup man, Luke Weaver, has emerged as New York’s most reliable reliever this season, providing a steady hand in preceding innings.
Recent bullpen acquisition Mark Leiter Jr., brought in from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline, has faced his own set of challenges. Leiter has allowed seven runs and 23 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings since donning the pinstripes, putting additional pressure on the bullpen during this crucial stretch of the season.
The Yankees' ambition is clear: to overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff position. The performance of Holmes, particularly his ability to rebound from past outings, could prove decisive in their quest. Historically, Holmes has faced more left-handed hitters than right-handed ones, a factor that could be critical in Boone’s strategic planning.
The road ahead is fraught with tight competition and high stakes. Every play, every pitch, and every managerial decision will be scrutinized under the spotlight as the Yankees push to reclaim the AL East and carve a path toward postseason success.