The New York Yankees are currently standing strong with a 73-53 record, just a half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the fierce AL East race. Despite their solid performance overall, a closer look at their play since July 1 reveals a more inconsistent side — going 19-21 over that span. The Orioles, meanwhile, have fared similarly with a 21-22 record since the same date, making the division race all the more intense.
Even with the ups and downs, the Yankees boast the third-best record in the league. However, a significant blemish on their recent performances has been the bullpen, particularly the struggles of closer Clay Holmes. Holmes has encountered multiple blown saves, leading the MLB in this unfortunate statistic. His latest came during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians when the Yankees ultimately fell 9-5 in a marathon 12-inning game.
Holmes’ tenth blown save this season marks the most by a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987. Despite these setbacks, Holmes has maintained a solid 2.82 ERA and an impressive ground ball rate of 67.6% across 40 innings. Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, Holmes has faced a challenging season enduring multiple blown saves from April to July, impacting the Yankees’ fortunes on several occasions. Notably, the Yankees hold a 3-7 record in games where Holmes has squandered a save opportunity.
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. He added, “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well.” Boone’s words reflect a strategic approach to managing the bullpen in the critical phases of the season.
Despite the struggles of their closer, the Yankees bullpen has been a bright spot in other areas, ranking in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added. Setup man Luke Weaver has emerged as a reliable option for New York, providing consistency when the game is on the line. Additionally, the Yankees’ recent acquisition of Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline was seen as a move to bolster their bullpen. However, Leiter has faced his own challenges, allowing seven runs and 23 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings since donning the pinstripes.
The Yankees are keen to overtake the Orioles and secure a strong playoff position as the season winds down. Holmes' ability to rebound and regain his form could prove crucial to their aspirations. His past performances indicate the talent is there, but consistency will be key. Boone’s strategic use of the bullpen, along with contributions from new and old faces alike, will be pivotal in the Yankees' push for postseason success.
As the season moves into its final stages, the spotlight will remain on Holmes, Boone, and the entire Yankees bullpen. With every game holding significant weight, the team’s resilience and strategic play will ultimately determine their fate in what promises to be an exhilarating conclusion to this year’s MLB campaign.