Yankees in Battle for AL East Supremacy
The New York Yankees find themselves in a fierce battle for dominance in the AL East, currently holding a record of 73-53. This impressive record places them just a half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles in a tightly contested division race. Despite being the third-best team in the league overall, the Yankees' trajectory since July 1 has been less than stellar, posting a 19-21 record compared to the Orioles' 21-22 during the same period.
Clay Holmes: The Bullpen Dilemma
A significant factor in the Yankees' recent struggles has been the inconsistency of closer Clay Holmes. Leading the MLB in blown saves, Holmes' performance has been under scrutiny, particularly following a recent collapse during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians. Holmes' inability to hold the lead during that game culminated in a 9-5, 12-inning defeat for the Yankees.
With ten blown saves thus far, Holmes has the dubious distinction of having the most blown saves by a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987. Despite a solid 2.82 ERA and a remarkable ground ball rate of 67.6% over 40 innings, Holmes' season has been marred by critical lapses. Instances like the three-run lead surrendered against the Seattle Mariners on May 20 and the game-tying two-run homer to Masataka Yoshida on July 5 have significantly impacted the Yankees' overall record, with the team going 3-7 in games where Holmes has failed to secure the save.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone remains cautiously optimistic about Holmes' future performance. "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. With Holmes having faced more left-handed hitters than right-handed ones, his matchups have posed additional challenges.
Building a Reliable Bullpen
Despite Holmes' struggles, the Yankees' bullpen remains one of the team's strengths, ranking in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added. The emergence of setup man Luke Weaver as the team's most reliable reliever has been a silver lining in an otherwise tumultuous period.
In a strategic move at the trade deadline, the Yankees acquired Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs, looking to bolster their relieving corps. However, Leiter's initial foray in pinstripes has been rocky, allowing seven runs and 23 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings. The Yankees aim to find a balance in their bullpen to support their playoff ambitions.
Managerial Decisions and Playoff Implications
Boone's management of his bullpen will be instrumental in navigating the closing weeks of the season. "I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well," Boone remarked, indicating a flexible approach to late-game scenarios. This tactical adaptability could prove crucial as the Yankees aim to overtake the Orioles and solidify their playoff position.
Ultimately, the Yankees' success may hinge on Holmes' ability to rebound from his struggles. His performance in high-pressure situations will be a key determinant of the team's fate as they strive for glory in the AL East.