The New York Yankees, with a current record of 73-53, are tightly contested in the AL East, trailing the Baltimore Orioles by a mere half-game. Amidst this competitive landscape, the Yankees hold the third-best record in the league, a testament to their overall consistency this season. However, since July 1, their performance has been less stellar, going 19-21, a notch better than the Orioles' 21-22 during the same period.
One player at the center of this recent turbulence has been closer Clay Holmes. Leading MLB in blown saves, Holmes has faced criticism and scrutiny, especially following the Yankees' 9-5 loss to the Cleveland Guardians in the Little League Classic. This marked Holmes' latest, and tenth, blown save, the highest for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987. While Holmes maintains a respectable 2.82 ERA and an impressive ground ball rate of 67.6% over 40 innings, his lapses in crucial moments have been costly.
Holmes' struggles in save situations have been a theme throughout the season. His distribution of blown saves includes a three-run lead loss to the Seattle Mariners on May 20 and surrendering a game-tying two-run home run to Masataka Yoshida on July 5. Consequently, the Yankees have a 3-7 record in games where Holmes has not been able to seal the victory.
Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, Holmes' role and effectiveness are pivotal for the Yankees in the closing stretch of the season. Despite his struggles, manager Aaron Boone retains confidence in him. "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 recently. Boone's strategy also includes flexibility with bullpen roles, as he remarked, "I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well."
The Yankees' bullpen, although ranked in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added, faces challenges beyond Holmes. Setup man Luke Weaver has emerged as New York’s most reliable reliever this season, providing stability and consistency. Yet, recent trade acquisition Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs has had a rocky start, 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, Holmes' performance will be under the microscope. His ability to rebound and deliver in high-pressure situations could significantly influence the Yankees' fortunes in the closing weeks. Despite the setbacks, Holmes' ground ball-inducing prowess and overall season performance provide a glimmer of hope for Yankees fans.
In conclusion, the road ahead for the Yankees is fraught with competition and challenges. With a razor-thin margin separating them from the top spot in the AL East, every game, every pitch, and every save opportunity carries immense weight. As the regular season winds down, the spotlight will undoubtedly remain on Clay Holmes and the entire bullpen, whose performances could spell the difference between a triumphant postseason run or an early exit.