The New York Yankees are currently navigating a challenging stretch in their season, holding a record of 73-53. Trailing the Baltimore Orioles by a mere half-game in the AL East, the Yankees possess the third-best record in the league, but their recent form has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike.
Mid-Season Struggles
Since July 1, the Yankees have gone 19-21, while the Orioles have fared slightly better with a 21-22 record. The inconsistency of the Yankees has been a focal point, particularly when examining the performance of their bullpen. Closer Clay Holmes has notably struggled, leading MLB in blown saves, including his latest during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, where the Yankees eventually lost 9-5 in 12 innings.
Holmes' performance this season has been a mixed bag. While his tenth blown save is the highest for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987, he boasts a respectable 2.82 ERA and an impressive ground ball rate of 67.6% over 40 innings. Holmes, acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, has faced repeated challenges, with notable blown saves on April 3, May 20 against the Seattle Mariners, and a game-tying two-run homer given up to Masataka Yoshida on July 5. The Yankees have a 3-7 record in games where Holmes has blown a save, underscoring the significance of his role in the team's recent struggles.
Managerial Perspective
Yankees manager Aaron Boone remains optimistic about Holmes' potential 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. The manager also indicated a flexible approach towards save situations moving forward, stating, "I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well."
Other Bullpen Contributors
Despite the struggles, the Yankees bullpen remains one of the better units in the league, ranked in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added. Setup man Luke Weaver has emerged as one of New York's most reliable relievers, providing stability amidst the turbulence. The Yankees also bolstered their bullpen at the trade deadline by acquiring Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs. However, Leiter has allowed seven runs and 23 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings, indicating there is still work to be done in solidifying the back end of games.
Eyes on the Prize
The Yankees are determined to overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff position. With just a few weeks left in the regular season, the ability of Holmes and the bullpen to stabilize will be critical in the Yankees' quest for postseason success. Boone's strategic maneuvering and the performance of key relievers will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in determining the Yankees' fate down the stretch. The excitement and pressure of the playoff push bring out the best and worst in teams, and the Yankees hope to find their stride just in time.