The New York Yankees are on the cusp of contending for the title in the AL East, holding a notable record of 73-53 as of the latest standings. Sitting just a half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles, the Yankees have the third-best record in the league, showcasing their consistent performance throughout the season. However, the road has been anything but smooth, especially when it comes to their bullpen, with Clay Holmes becoming a focal point of discussion.
The Bullpen's Highs and Lows
Since July 1, the Yankees have experienced ups and downs, going 19-21. Their close competitors, the Orioles, have not fared much better, with a 21-22 record over the same period. Despite these middling performances, the Yankees have remained competitive. But, the performance of their bullpen, especially Holmes, has raised eyebrows.
Holmes currently leads Major League Baseball in blown saves. His latest mishap came during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, a game the Yankees ultimately lost 9-5 in 12 innings. This marked Holmes' tenth blown save of the season, the most for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987. With a 2.82 ERA and a staggering ground ball rate of 67.6% across 40 innings, Holmes was expected to be a reliable closer after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021.
Key Moments
His struggles have been evident in several critical games. On April 3, Holmes was hit with his first blown save. On May 20, he surrendered a three-run lead against the Seattle Mariners. Then, on July 5, he allowed a game-tying two-run homer to Masataka Yoshida. In games where Holmes has blown a save, the Yankees have gone 3-7, a record that casts a shadow on their otherwise solid squad.
Interestingly, Holmes has faced more left-handed hitters than right-handed ones, and this may have contributed to some of his challenges. Despite his woes, the Yankees' bullpen is still ranked in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added, thanks in part to reliable relievers like setup man Luke Weaver. Weaver has emerged as New York’s most dependable option out of the bullpen this season, a role that has been crucial given Holmes' inconsistencies.
New Acquisitions
In an effort to shore up their bullpen, the Yankees acquired Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. Thus far, Leiter has allowed seven runs and 23 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings in pinstripes. While these numbers are not ideal, the Yankees are hoping that improved performances from both Holmes and Leiter will solidify their playoff position.
Coaching Perspective
Yankees manager Aaron Boone remains optimistic about Holmes. “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 has also expressed a willingness to mix and match bullpen roles to better suit situations. “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well,” Boone remarked.
Looking Forward
As the Yankees aim to overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff aspirations, much will depend on Holmes' ability to rebound from his recent struggles. With just a few weeks left in the regular season, every game and every inning counts. The Yankees have a potent lineup and a generally strong bullpen, but the spotlight remains on Holmes to deliver when it matters most.
In the highly competitive environment of Major League Baseball, the margin for error is slim. The Yankees are a testament to resilience and strategic thinking. If Holmes and the rest of the bullpen can turn their fortunes around, New York might well find itself playing deep into October.