Yankees in a Tense AL East Race
As of the latest standings, the New York Yankees boast a record of 73-53, trailing the Baltimore Orioles by a mere half-game in the highly competitive American League East. Holding the third-best record in the league positions the Yankees favorably, but recent trends have exposed some areas of concern, particularly in their bullpen.
Struggles Since July
Since July 1, the Yankees have struggled to maintain their earlier momentum, posting a 19-21 record. The Orioles, by contrast, have gone 21-22 during the same span. While neither team has soared above expectations, the narrow gap in standings underlines the crucial nature of every game as both teams jostle for playoff positioning.
One major storyline has been the performance of Yankees closer, Clay Holmes. Despite a superficially impressive 2.82 ERA and a dominant 67.6% ground ball rate across 40 innings, Holmes leads Major League Baseball in blown saves. His tenth blown save of the season during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, where the Yankees eventually fell 9-5 in 12 innings, was emblematic of his struggles.
Holmes' Season in Context
Holmes' ten blown saves mark the highest number for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987. Despite his capability, results have been mixed. He was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021 and has shown flashes of brilliance. However, various instances continue to blemish his record. Notably, Holmes was hit with a blown save on April 3, surrendered a three-run lead against the Seattle Mariners on May 20, and gave up a game-tying two-run homer to Masataka Yoshida on July 5.
The Yankees have posted a 3-7 record in games where Holmes has blown a save, underscoring the direct impact his late-game struggles have had on the team's overall performance. With Holmes facing more left-handed batters than right-handed ones, adjustments in matchup strategy could be vital going forward.
Manager’s Confidence and Strategy
Despite the setbacks, manager Aaron Boone remains optimistic about Holmes' potential 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 expressed an adaptive approach: "I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well."
Supporting Cast and Reinforcements
The Yankees' bullpen, overall, ranks in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added, offering some solace. Setup man Luke Weaver has emerged as a reliable arm this season, while the recent acquisition of Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs was aimed at bolstering the bullpen. However, Leiter has struggled, allowing seven runs and 23 baserunners over just 9 1/3 innings since donning pinstripes.
The Yankees' bullpen inconsistencies highlight the urgency of addressing their relief woes as they aim to overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff position. Holmes' ability to rebound will be pivotal in these closing weeks, with every game carrying significant weight in the tightly contested AL East.
As the Yankees navigate this crucial stretch, the interplay between managerial strategy and player performance will be under the microscope. The team's resilience and tactical adjustments could be the deciding factors in a season with high stakes.