The New York Yankees have been navigating through a turbulent stretch as they find themselves in a fierce battle for the AL East title. With a record of 73-53, they are just a half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles, possessing the third-best record in the league. Yet, their performance since July 1, going 19-21, has added layers of complexity to their season.
In contrast, the Orioles have experienced a similarly uneven stretch, going 21-22 since July 1. Despite this, the Yankees remain determined to overtake their division rivals and solidify their playoff position. Manager Aaron Boone has underscored the team’s potential and resilience as they fight through these challenging times.
Clay Holmes: Serial Blown Saves and Critical Role
One significant issue has been the performance of closer Clay Holmes, who leads MLB in blown saves. Holmes' stats paint a contrasting picture: a 2.82 ERA and a ground ball rate of 67.6% across 40 innings, suggesting reliability. Yet, his ten blown saves mark the highest for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987.
Holmes' latest misstep occurred during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, where the Yankees eventually lost 9-5 in 12 innings. Within the context of this game, his performance was another bitter pill, as the Yankees possess a 3-7 record in games where he has blown a save.
Boone remains optimistic about Holmes' future impact. “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.
Critical Pitching Adjustments and New Acquisitions
Boone's approach moving forward will be more dynamic, as he mentioned, “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well.” This flexibility will be crucial, especially given that Holmes has faced more left-handed hitters than right-handed hitters this season.
Meanwhile, the Yankees bullpen, ranked in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added, remains a bright spot overall. Setup man Luke Weaver has emerged as New York’s most reliable reliever this season, a development much needed during these crucial times.
The trade deadline saw the acquisition of Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs, though his performance has been shaky, allowing seven runs and 23 base runners over 9 1/3 innings in pinstripes. His adaptation and contribution will be essential moving forward, particularly in tight games where every pitch counts.
Eyes on the Prize
Despite recent hardships, the Yankees aim to overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff position. Holmes, acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, will be a pivotal figure in the closing weeks of the season. His ability to rebound from his blown saves will likely determine the team's fate.
Boone's strategic maneuvering and the collective effort of the new and veteran bullpen members will be vital as the Yankees seek to secure their division title and make a deep postseason run. With the season nearing its climax, every game carries weight, and the margin for error diminishes with each passing contest.
The road ahead is lined with challenges, but as the Yankees continue their pursuit, their history of resilience and high stakes experience will undoubtedly define their journey.