With a record of 73-53, the New York Yankees find themselves trailing the Baltimore Orioles by a mere half-game in the AL East standings. The Yankees boast the third-best record in the league, but their recent performance has been a tale of inconsistency.
Mid-Season Struggles
Since July 1, the Yankees have posted a 19-21 record, while the Orioles have fared slightly better at 21-22. This period of struggle for the Yankees is notably highlighted by the performance of their closer, Clay Holmes. Holmes, who leads MLB in blown saves, has been a focal point of the team's woes. Despite his challenges, Holmes maintains a 2.82 ERA and an impressive ground ball rate of 67.6% over 40 innings, showing glimpses of the effectiveness that the Yankees hope to see consistently.
General Manager Aaron Boone has been vocal about his confidence in 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, reflecting a belief that Holmes can turn his season around.
Holmes' struggles have been evident in high-stakes situations. His latest blown save came during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, a game the Yankees eventually lost 9-5 in 12 innings. This was Holmes' tenth blown save of the season, the most for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987. Moreover, the Yankees' 3-7 record in games where Holmes has blown a save underscores the critical impact of his performances.
Acquisitions and Adjustments
In a bid to bolster their bullpen, the Yankees acquired Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. However, Leiter has struggled to find his footing in pinstripes, allowing seven runs and 23 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings. The inconsistency of Leiter further emphasizes the importance of Holmes regaining his form.
Despite these setbacks, there have been bright spots. Setup man Luke Weaver has emerged as New York’s most reliable reliever this season, offering some stability to the bullpen. As the Yankees aim to overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff position, every aspect of their bullpen will be put under the microscope.
Boone's Strategy and the Road Ahead
Boone has indicated a willingness to keep save situations flexible, commenting, “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well.” This strategy suggests a more analytical approach to managing the bullpen, one that will rely heavily on matchups and situational advantages.
The Yankees' bullpen remains ranked in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added, but these numbers will need to translate into consistent on-field success as the season progresses. Holmes' ability to rebound from his recent struggles will be crucial to the Yankees' efforts to finish the season strong and secure a playoff berth.
Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, Holmes has shown flashes of brilliance. He was hit with a blown save on April 3 and has had several notable stumbles since then, including surrendering a three-run lead against the Seattle Mariners on May 20 and giving up a game-tying two-run homer to Masataka Yoshida on July 5. Such moments have been critical in defining his and the Yankees' season thus far.
As Holmes faces more left-handed hitters than right-handed hitters, the Yankees will need to find ways to effectively utilize his strengths while mitigating vulnerabilities. The closing weeks of the season will demand not only individual excellence but also strategic brilliance from Boone and his coaching staff.
With the postseason within reach, the Yankees are focused on overtaking the Orioles and solidifying their spot. Holmes' ability to rebound could be the key factor in determining the Yankees' fate in these crucial upcoming games.