As the Major League Baseball season sails into its final stretch, the New York Yankees find themselves in a heated battle to secure a playoff spot. With a record of 73-53, the Yankees are a mere half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the fiercely competitive AL East. Currently holding the third-best record in the league, the Yankees' position is precarious, and their recent performance raises questions about their postseason prospects.
Mixed Results
Since July 1, the Yankees have posted a 19-21 record, a stark contrast to their impressive overall season performance. Meanwhile, the Orioles have fared only marginally better with a 21-22 record over the same period, keeping the race for the AL East tight.
One of the critical areas of concern for the Yankees has been their bullpen, particularly closer Clay Holmes. Holmes, leading Major League Baseball in blown saves, has struggled mightily in key moments. His latest blunder came during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, where the Yankees ultimately fell 9-5 in 12 innings. This marked Holmes' tenth blown save of the season, the highest for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987.
Holmes' Roller Coaster Season
Holmes, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, has had a tumultuous season despite a respectable 2.82 ERA and an impressive ground ball rate of 67.6% across 40 innings. His early-season struggles included a blown save on April 3 and surrendering a three-run lead against the Seattle Mariners on May 20. In a critical July 5 game, Holmes gave up a game-tying two-run homer to Masataka Yoshida.
The Yankees' record in games where Holmes has blown a save is a dismal 3-7, highlighting the impact of his struggles on the team's overall performance. Holmes has faced more left-handed hitters than right-handed hitters, a factor that may be influencing his inconsistency.
Management's Outlook
Despite these issues, Yankees manager Aaron Boone remains optimistic about Holmes' ability to bounce back. “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. Boone also indicated a flexible approach moving forward: “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well.”
Bolstering the Bullpen
In an attempt to strengthen their bullpen, the Yankees acquired Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. However, Leiter's performance in pinstripes has been underwhelming, with seven runs and 23 baserunners allowed over 9 1/3 innings.
On a brighter note, setup man Luke Weaver has emerged as New York’s most reliable reliever this season, a fact that provides some stability in an otherwise shaky bullpen.
Critical Weeks Ahead
As the Yankees aim to overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff position, Holmes' ability to rebound will be a focal point. The Yankees bullpen is ranked in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added, metrics that underscore their potential despite individual struggles.
With the season approaching its climax, every game increasingly feels like a must-win. For the Yankees, finding consistency in the bullpen and capitalizing on their opportunities will be paramount. The next few weeks will reveal whether Holmes and the rest of the team can rise to the occasion and ensure a playoff berth.