The New York Yankees are in the thick of a hotly contested race in the AL East, holding a record of 73-53 as of the latest standings. Trailing the Baltimore Orioles by just half a game, the Yankees are currently positioned with the third-best record in the league, but recent performances have been a mixed bag.
Midseason Struggles
Since July 1, the Yankees have posted a subpar 19-21 record, while the Orioles have fared marginally better at 21-22. A notable factor in the Yankees' struggles has been the inconsistency of closer Clay Holmes, who leads Major League Baseball in blown saves this season. Holmes' most recent setback came during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, a game that saw the Yankees suffer a 9-5 defeat in 12 innings.
This marked Holmes' tenth blown save of the season, the most for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987. Despite these hiccups, Holmes has managed a 2.82 ERA and an impressive ground ball rate of 67.6% across 40 innings. His potential and ability to deliver in clutch situations are evident, but the blown saves are hard to overlook.
"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," commented Yankees manager Aaron Boone.
Notable Blown Saves
Holmes' troubles began early in the season, with his first blown save coming on April 3. Other notable meltdowns 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. The Yankees have a disappointing 3-7 record in games where Holmes has failed to secure the save, underscoring the high stakes and pressure on their bullpen.
Holmes' proficiency against left-handed hitters might raise some eyebrows as he's faced more lefties than right-handers, possibly contributing to his challenges this season. Meanwhile, the Yankees' bullpen, ranked in the top ten for ERA and win probability added, has seen other bright spots. Setup man Luke Weaver has emerged as the most reliable reliever this season, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the turbulence.
In Search of Solutions
Attempting to shore up their bullpen, the Yankees acquired Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. However, Leiter's tenure in pinstripes hasn't gone smoothly as he has allowed seven runs and 23 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings. These struggles further complicate the Yankees' efforts to stabilize their late-inning scenarios.
Boone has emphasized a flexible approach to utilizing his bullpen, stating, "I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well." His remarks indicate a strategic shift aimed at maximizing each pitcher's strengths while minimizing vulnerabilities.
Chasing the Orioles
With the postseason race heating up, the Yankees' aim is clear: overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff position. Holmes' capacity to rebound in the remaining weeks could be pivotal for this aspiration. As Boone pointed out, the talent and track record suggest that Holmes can turn things around, but the margin for error is thinning.
The Yankees' loyal fanbase will undoubtedly be watching closely, hoping for a strong finish to a season filled with highs and lows. As the race for the AL East crown tightens, every game, every inning, and every pitch will carry significant weight. The pressure is on, and the Yankees must respond if they are to fulfill their playoff ambitions.