The New York Yankees' season has been a rollercoaster, characterized by moments of brilliance and stretches of struggle. As it stands, they hold an impressive 73-53 record, which places them a mere half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the fiercely competitive AL East. Despite their third-best standing in the league, their performance since July 1 has been less than stellar, with a 19-21 run compared to the Orioles' 21-22 record during the same period.
Amidst this fluctuating journey, one storyline that has drawn significant attention is the performance of Clay Holmes. Holmes, acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, has had a complex season to say the least. Leading Major League Baseball in blown saves, his latest misstep occurred during the high-profile Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, a game the Yankees eventually lost 9-5 in 12 innings. This was Holmes’ tenth blown save, marking the highest number for any Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987.
Holmes has been a conundrum for fans and analysts alike. Despite his struggles in clutch situations, he boasts a solid 2.82 ERA and a ground ball rate of 67.6% across 40 innings. Such metrics paint a picture of a pitcher who can dominate under the right circumstances. Furthermore, Holmes has been thrust into a remarkable number of high-pressure moments, facing more left-handed hitters than right-handed ones. The Yankees have a 3-7 record in games where he has blown a save, suggesting that his difficulties in closing out games have been a significant hindrance to the team's overall performance.
Yankees' manager Aaron Boone has remained cautiously optimistic, noting Holmes’ overall ability and potential for future success. “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.
Holmes’ high-profile failures have not gone unnoticed, but his ability to rebound could very well determine the Yankees' fate as the season progresses. Boone has acknowledged the fluidity of the closing situation, saying, “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well.” This indicates a strategic shift to maximize the effectiveness of his bullpen, which ranks in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added.
While Holmes' struggles have been at the forefront, the Yankees bullpen has had its bright spots. Setup man Luke Weaver has emerged as one of the most reliable relievers for New York this season. Additionally, the acquisition of Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline was seen as a bolster to their bullpen depth. However, Leiter’s performance has been somewhat underwhelming, allowing seven runs and 23 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings in pinstripes.
As the Yankees aim to overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff position, every aspect of their game will come under scrutiny. The bullpen’s performance, Holmes’ ability to rebound, and the effectiveness of recent acquisitions will all be critical factors in the closing weeks. The Yankees are not just battling for a spot in the postseason; they are fighting to find the right balance that can sustain a deep playoff run.
In summary, while the Yankees remain in a strong position, the path ahead is fraught with challenges. Holmes stands at a pivotal crossroad, where his continued struggles could either derail the Yankees’ ambitions or his resurgence could be the key to unlocking their full potential. Boone’s strategic acumen and the bullpen’s overall performance will be instrumental as the Yankees seek to reclaim their dominance in the AL East.