As the Major League Baseball season heads into its final stretch, the New York Yankees find themselves in a tight race in the AL East. Sitting a mere half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles with a record of 73-53, the Yankees currently boast the third-best record in the league. However, recent performances have raised questions about their bullpen, especially closer Clay Holmes.
Holmes Under the Microscope
Holmes leads Major League Baseball in blown saves this season. His latest mishap occurred during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, where the Yankees fell 9-5 in a grueling 12-inning affair. This marked his tenth blown save, making it the highest for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987.
Despite his struggles, Holmes has shown flashes of brilliance. Sporting a 2.82 ERA and an impressive ground ball rate of 67.6% across 40 innings, his underlying numbers suggest better performance than his blown saves indicate. Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, Holmes has faced more left-handed hitters than right-handed hitters this season.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed optimism about Holmes' future performances. “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.
Challenges Since July
The Yankees' overall performance since July 1 has left much to be desired, with a 19-21 record during this period. In comparison, the Orioles have fared slightly better, going 21-22 over the same stretch. Despite these challenges, the Yankees' bullpen remains a strong component, ranked in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added.
However, the team's record in games where Holmes has blown a save is a concerning 3-7. His fateful outings include 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.
New Faces in the Bullpen
The Yankees made moves to bolster their bullpen at the trade deadline, acquiring Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs. However, Leiter has struggled to find consistency, allowing seven runs and 23 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings in pinstripes. In contrast, setup man Luke Weaver has emerged as New York's most reliable reliever this season, providing a dependable option in high-leverage situations.
Addressing the closer turmoil, Boone stated: “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well.” This flexible approach may prove crucial as the Yankees aim to overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff position.
The Road Ahead
The Yankees' hopes of a deep postseason run may very well hinge on Holmes' ability to rebound from his recent struggles. His performance in the closing weeks of the season could determine the team's fate. With Boone's strategic maneuvering and the team’s overall bullpen strength, the Yankees remain poised to make a formidable push towards the playoffs.
As fans watch closely, the team's resilience and Holmes' quest for redemption will be key narratives in the remaining games. The Yankees' journey to potentially capturing the AL East title promises to be a captivating storyline in the 2023 MLB season.