The New York Yankees: Clay Holmes and a Pivotal Season Ahead
The New York Yankees are presently navigating a season marked by unpredictability and pivotal moments. Sitting with a commendable 73-53 record, they are trailing just half a game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the highly competitive AL East. Currently holding the third-best record in the league, every game is crucial as they aim to overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff position.
However, since July 1, the Yankees have experienced some turbulence, managing a 19-21 record. Their closest rivals, the Orioles, have fared slightly better with a 21-22 tally over the same period. This close race in the standings underscores the significance of each performance and the pivotal role the bullpen, mainly Clay Holmes, plays in these outcomes.
Holmes has had a season to remember, albeit for reasons he might prefer to forget. Leading Major League Baseball in blown saves, his latest shortcoming came during the notable Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians. This 12-inning marathon ended in a 9-5 defeat for the Yankees after Holmes was unable to close out the game.
Reflecting on Holmes' season thus far, it is hard to overlook some critical numbers. His ten blown saves are the most for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987. Yet, Holmes' 2.82 ERA and an impressive ground ball rate of 67.6% across 40 innings suggest that inconsistency, rather than ineptitude, plagues his season. This inconsistency has been underscored by significant moments, such as his blown save on April 3, surrendering a three-run lead against the Seattle Mariners on May 20, and a game-tying two-run homer allowed to Masataka Yoshida on July 5.
Despite these challenges, Yankees manager Aaron Boone remains optimistic about Holmes' potential to rebound. "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’s belief in Holmes is undoubtedly crucial as the Yankees have a 3-7 record in games where he has failed to secure the save. With Holmes facing more left-handed hitters than right-handed ones, strategic deployment could be key in mitigating his chances of crumbling under pressure. Boone hinted at this strategy, saying, “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well.”
One bright spot in the Yankees bullpen is Luke Weaver, who has emerged as New York’s most reliable reliever. This development is timely, especially with Mark Leiter Jr., acquired from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline, struggling to find his footing. Leiter has allowed seven runs and 23 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings in pinstripes, a performance that raises more questions than answers as the Yankees look to tighten their bullpen.
Despite these bullpen woes, it’s notable that the Yankees’ bullpen continues to rank in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added. This statistical strength, combined with strategic management and potentially clutch performances, might be the deciding factors as the season progresses.
The Yankees find themselves at a critical juncture. The games ahead are not just about securing a playoff berth but positioning themselves favorably as they head into the postseason. Holmes' ability to rebound from his current slump will play a significant role in determining the Yankees' fate in these closing weeks.
In the high stakes world of Major League Baseball, every pitch, every out, and every game counts. For the New York Yankees, the narrative of their season may well be defined by the resilience and redemption of one of their key bullpen stars.