The New York Yankees: A Season on the Edge
As of the latest standings, the New York Yankees boast a record of 73-53, holding the third-best record in the league. This success, however, is currently overshadowed by a marginal half-game gap behind the AL East leaders, the Baltimore Orioles. With both teams facing a challenging stretch since July 1 – the Yankees at 19-21 and the Orioles at 21-22 – the race for dominance in the division is tighter than ever.
The Yankees' bullpen has seen its ups and downs, and nowhere is this more evident than in the performance of Clay Holmes. Holmes, who leads Major League Baseball in blown saves, has been a focal point of concern for the Yankees. His latest misstep came during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, a game that saw the Yankees fall 9-5 in 12 innings.
Despite leading the league in blown saves, Holmes maintains a respectable 2.82 ERA and an impressive ground ball rate of 67.6% over 40 innings. However, the ten blown saves this season mark a high not seen in the Yankees bullpen since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987. Holmes' journey this season has been turbulent, with notable falters, including a blown save due to a game-tying two-run homer to Masataka Yoshida on July 5 and another where he surrendered a three-run lead against the Seattle Mariners on May 20.
The impact of Holmes' performances on the Yankees' outcomes cannot be understated. In games where he has blown a save, the Yankees have a record of 3-7. Manager Aaron Boone has voiced his support for Holmes, acknowledging the unfortunate nature of some of his failings but emphasizing confidence in his continued ability. “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.
Shuffling the Bullpen
In an effort to stabilize the bullpen, the Yankees made strategic moves at the trade deadline, acquiring Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs. Since joining the team, Leiter has had a rough start, allowing seven runs and 23 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings. Despite these struggles, the Yankees remain optimistic about bolstering their bullpen strength heading into the crucial final weeks of the season.
One bright spot has been setup man Luke Weaver, who has emerged as New York’s most reliable reliever this season. With the bullpen being ranked in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added, the potential for resurgence is very much alive. Balancing the bullpen dynamics, Boone remarked, “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well.”
The Fight for AL East Supremacy
As the Yankees aim to overtake the Orioles and secure their playoff position, the pressure mounts, not just on the bullpen, but on the entire roster. Holmes' ability to rebound could play a pivotal role in determining the Yankees' fate as the season progresses. Given their solid overall record, the Yankees must navigate these final weeks with precision and focus, hoping their lineup depth and bullpen can propel them past their rivals.
The narrative of the Yankees’ 2023 season so far has been one of looming potential marred by moments of costly inconsistency. However, every game moving forward is a fresh opportunity for Holmes and the bullpen to redefine their trajectories and solidify the team’s playoff aspirations. The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but the Yankees have displayed a resilience that keeps fans and analysts alike watching closely as they battle for supremacy in the AL East.