The New York Yankees Find Themselves in a Critical Stretch
As the MLB season approaches its final stretch, the New York Yankees are in a fiercely contested battle within the AL East. Holding a record of 73-53, the Bronx Bombers sit a mere half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles, making every game increasingly crucial as they aim to secure a playoff berth. Despite having the third-best record in the league, recent performances have cast a shadow over their title ambitions.
Since July 1, the Yankees have been on a rollercoaster ride, going 19-21. Their rivals, the Orioles, have also struggled, posting a 21-22 record over the same period. These similar trajectories have kept the gap between the two teams razor-thin, intensifying the race for the divisional crown.
One notable concern for the Yankees has been the performance of their bullpen, particularly closer Clay Holmes. Leading MLB in blown saves, Holmes' missteps have become a focal point for the team's recent woes. His most recent blown save occurred during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, a game where the Yankees eventually fell 9-5 in 12 innings. This marked his tenth blown save of the season, the highest for a Yankee since Dave Righetti’s 13 in 1987.
Despite his struggles, Holmes has been effective overall, boasting a 2.82 ERA and an impressive ground ball rate of 67.6% across 40 innings. Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, Holmes has had several notable stumbles this season. He was hit with a blown save on April 3, surrendered a three-run lead against the Seattle Mariners on May 20, and allowed a game-tying two-run homer to Masataka Yoshida on July 5. The Yankees have a 3-7 record in games where Holmes has blown a save, a troubling statistic for a team with championship aspirations.
Manager Aaron Boone, however, remains optimistic about Holmes' future performance. “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. Though there have been calls to reconsider Holmes' role in save situations, Boone remarked, “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well.”
The Yankees' bullpen, ranked in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added, has seen the emergence of setup man Luke Weaver as the team’s most reliable reliever this season. To bolster their bullpen, the Yankees acquired Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. However, Leiter's tenure in pinstripes has been rocky, as he has allowed seven runs and 23 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings.
As the Yankees aim to overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff position, Holmes' ability to rebound could be a key factor. The reliever has faced more left-handed hitters than right-handed hitters, making matchups a crucial consideration for Boone and his coaching staff in the coming weeks.
Ultimately, the Yankees find themselves at a critical juncture. Their pursuit of the AL East title and a deep playoff run will depend heavily on consistent performances from key players like Holmes and effective management decisions from Boone. With the stakes higher than ever, every game, every pitch, and every decision will be under the microscope, as the Yankees strive to etch their name in this year's postseason narrative.