The New York Yankees' Bullpen and Its Crucial Determinants in the Playoff Chase
At an impressive 73-53, the New York Yankees are in a tight race within the competitive AL East, sitting just half a game behind the Baltimore Orioles. With the third-best record in the league, the Yankees are hardly in a precarious position, though recent outings have highlighted areas of concern, particularly their bullpen performance.
An Uneven Stretch Since July
The Yankees have experienced a rocky stretch of play since July 1, recording a 19-21 mark. Comparatively, the Baltimore Orioles have managed a similar trajectory, maintaining a 21-22 record over the same period. Despite their solid standing, the Yankees' bullpen inconsistency has been a persistent issue that could impact their postseason aspirations.
Clay Holmes: A Roller-Coaster Season
Clay Holmes has emerged as a focal point of the Yankees' bullpen woes. Leading MLB in blown saves, Holmes' latest mishap came during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, where the Yankees eventually fell 9-5 in 12 innings. His performance has been a double-edged sword; although Holmes carries a respectable 2.82 ERA with a ground ball rate of 67.6% over 40 innings, his tally of ten blown saves is the highest for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987.
Holmes was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021 and has since shown flashes of brilliance mixed with moments of vulnerability. He was hit with a blown save on April 3, then 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. These instances are telling—the Yankees have a 3-7 record in games where Holmes has blown a save.
Manager Aaron Boone still harbors faith in Holmes despite these setbacks. “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.
Yankees’ Bullpen Dynamics
The Yankees bullpen remains a top ten unit in terms of ERA and win probability added, buoyed by standout performances from other relievers. Luke Weaver, in particular, has emerged as a reliable setup man this season. Meanwhile, Mark Leiter Jr., who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline, has faced struggles of his own, allowing seven runs and 23 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings in pinstripes.
Boone emphasizes a flexible approach to managing the bullpen moving forward. “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well,” Boone remarked. This adaptable strategy will be crucial as the Yankees aim to overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff position.
The Road Ahead
As the season winds down, the Yankees' bullpen will play a pivotal role in their success. Clay Holmes' ability to rebound in critical situations may very well determine the team's fate in the closing weeks. Balancing faith in his existing abilities with strategic deployment will be key for Aaron Boone and the Yankees as they enter the final stretch.
With a razor-thin margin separating them from the top of the AL East, the Yankees will need every arm in their bullpen to perform at its best. Holmes' performance will be under the microscope, but the collective effort of the relief squad will ultimately steer the Yankees' trajectory for the remainder of the season.