The New York Yankees find themselves in a competitive race within the AL East, holding a 73-53 record and trailing the Baltimore Orioles by a mere half-game. This solid performance situates the Yankees with the third-best record in the league as of the latest standings.
However, the journey hasn't been smooth sailing, particularly since July 1, when the Yankees' form dipped to a 19-21 record. In that same period, the Orioles have also struggled to find consistency, going 21-22. A key issue for the Yankees has been the performance of their bullpen, and no one exemplifies these struggles more than their closer, Clay Holmes.
Holmes leads Major League Baseball in blown saves this season, a dubious distinction that has cast a shadow over his otherwise solid stats. With a 2.82 ERA and a ground ball rate of 67.6% across 40 innings, Holmes has shown moments of dominance. Still, his tendency to falter in crucial moments has been costly. His tenth blown save, recorded during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, marked the most by a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 blown saves in 1987. The game itself ended in a 9-5 defeat in 12 innings.
Holmes' track record this season includes several high-profile letdowns. He was hit with a blown save on April 3 and surrendered a three-run lead against the Seattle Mariners on May 20. On July 5, he gave up a game-tying two-run homer to Masataka Yoshida. The Yankees have a concerning 3-7 record in games where Holmes has been unable to seal the victory.
Part of Holmes' struggles could be attributed to his matchups, as he has faced more left-handed hitters than right-handed hitters. Despite this, manager Aaron Boone remains optimistic. "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.
To address the bullpen challenges, the Yankees have made several moves this season. They acquired Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. However, Leiter has struggled to find his footing, allowing seven runs and 23 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings in pinstripes.
Despite the setbacks, the Yankees' bullpen is still ranked in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added. Setup man Luke Weaver has emerged as New York’s most reliable reliever this season, providing a much-needed boost. Boone, acutely aware of the importance of effective bullpen management down the stretch, has hinted at a flexible approach. “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well,” he remarked.
As the season heads into its critical final weeks, the Yankees aim to overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff position. Holmes’ ability to rebound and close out games will play a crucial role in this pursuit. The pressure is on, but with a roster full of talent and a bullpen capable of excellence, the Yankees have the necessary tools to navigate the challenges ahead.