The New York Yankees’ 2023 season has been filled with ups and downs. With a current record of 73-53, the Yankees hold the third-best standing in the league. Despite their noteworthy performance, they've found themselves trailing a mere half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East.
Recent Struggles
Since July 1, the Yankees have had a challenging stretch, going 19-21. In comparison, the Orioles have fared slightly better, posting a 21-22 record during the same period. A significant factor in the Yankees' recent woes has been the performance of their bullpen, particularly closer Clay Holmes.
Holmes leads MLB in blown saves, and his latest misstep came during the Little League Classic against the Cleveland Guardians. In the dramatic clash, the Yankees ultimately fell 9-5 in 12 innings. Holmes' tenth blown save of the season is the highest for a Yankee since Dave Righetti's 13 in 1987.
Holmes’ Performance
Despite the high number of blown saves, Holmes' overall statistics for the season aren't entirely concerning. He maintains a commendable 2.82 ERA and boasts an impressive ground ball rate of 67.6% across 40 innings pitched. Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, Holmes has had notable performances, although he's faced more left-handed hitters than right-handed hitters this season.
Holmes' blown saves have been key turning points in several games. On April 3, he was charged with a blown save, and on May 20, he surrendered a three-run lead against the Seattle Mariners. Further compounding his struggles, Holmes gave up a game-tying two-run homer to Masataka Yoshida on July 5. The Yankees have a 3-7 record in games where Holmes has blown a save.
Boone’s Confidence
Despite these challenges, Yankees manager Aaron Boone remains optimistic about Holmes. “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 also hinted at a flexible approach in handling save situations going forward. “I will leave [save situations] open and try and put these guys in places where they match up really well,” Boone remarked.
Other Bullpen Performances
The Yankees' bullpen, in general, remains a strong unit, ranked in the top 10 for ERA and win probability added. Setup man Luke Weaver has emerged as a reliable reliever, further solidifying the bullpen's depth. However, recent acquisition Mark Leiter Jr. from the Chicago Cubs has struggled in pinstripes, allowing seven runs and 23 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings.
Playoff Race
As the season progresses, the Yankees aim to overtake the Orioles and secure their playoff position. The performance of the bullpen, and particularly Holmes, will be crucial in determining their fate in the closing weeks. Holmes' ability to rebound from his recent struggles could make or break the Yankees' postseason ambitions.