Inching Closer to the Top: Yankees' Fight for AL East Supremacy
As the latest standings reveal, the New York Yankees boast a 73-53 record, placing them a scant half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles in a tightly contested AL East race. While the Yankees hold the third-best record in the league, the path to maintaining and enhancing their position has been anything but smooth.
Inconsistency since July 1 has plagued the Yankees, who have gone 19-21 over this stretch. Their closest rival, the Orioles, have fared only slightly better with a 21-22 record. At the center of some of these struggles lies a bullpen story, defined by both challenges and resilience.
Clay Holmes: A Rollercoaster Season
Among the most pivotal figures is Clay Holmes. Named the leader in blown saves across Major League Baseball, Holmes has experienced his fair share of ups and downs. His latest stumble took place during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians, in which the Yankees ultimately succumbed 9-5 in 12 innings. This marked Holmes' tenth blown save of the season, the highest for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987.
Despite these setbacks, Holmes has exhibited some promising metrics, including a 2.82 ERA and a remarkable ground ball rate of 67.6% over 40 innings. Since being acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, Holmes has intermittently showcased his potential. However, his moments of faltering, such as surrendering a three-run lead to the Seattle Mariners on May 20 and giving up a game-tying two-run homer to Masataka Yoshida on July 5, have significantly impacted the Yankees. The team holds a 3-7 record in games where Holmes has blown a save.
Yankees Bullpen: A Tale of Two Halves
On a broader scale, the Yankees bullpen has been a critical factor and is ranked within the top 10 for ERA and win probability added. Luke Weaver has emerged as the most reliable reliever, providing much-needed consistency during turbulent times. In addition, the mid-season acquisition of Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs was expected to bolster the bullpen. However, Leiter has allowed seven runs and 23 baserunners over just 9 1/3 innings in his time with the Yankees.
Leadership and Strategy
The importance of Holmes' ability to rebound cannot be overstated, especially as the Yankees aim to supplant the Orioles and secure a stronger playoff position. Manager Aaron Boone remains cautiously optimistic about Holmes’ prospects. “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.
Boone has also adopted a flexible approach to handling save situations. “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well,” he remarked. This adaptability could prove decisive as the Yankees navigate the remaining weeks of the season.
Looking Forward
The razor-thin margin separating the Yankees from the Orioles adds a layer of drama to every game. Holmes’ performance, coupled with the stability of the bullpen, will be instrumental in determining the Yankees' fate. If Holmes can harness his strengths and minimize his missteps, the Yankees could very well see themselves atop the AL East, with their sights firmly set on a deep playoff run.