On Tuesday night, the New York Yankees endured a disheartening 7-4 loss to the Texas Rangers, with All-Star closer Clay Holmes surrendering a walk-off grand slam to rookie Wyatt Langford. The defeat has left the Yankees trailing in the fiercely competitive AL East standings, and highlighted the team's recent struggles in closing out games.
Holmes, who has accumulated an impressive 29 saves this season, has also recorded 11 blown saves—a troubling league high. This inconsistency has become a focal point for Yankees manager Aaron Boone. In a post-game interview, Boone acknowledged the pressing issue, stating, "The team will be 'creative' in how they decide on who closes games here in the short term." Despite Holmes' recent performance, Boone mentioned, "Holmes would be an option."
Tuesday's loss further cemented the Yankees' precarious position as they now find themselves trailing the Baltimore Orioles, who have a half-game lead following their victory. The Yankees' current record stands at 80-59, a noticeable decline from their scorching start of 51-22. Despite their struggles, the Yankees are projected to remain within the top four of the American League, but their hold on that position feels increasingly tenuous.
An Unsteady Bullpen
Holmes isn't the only pitcher facing challenges. The Yankees' bullpen has been a source of concern, with various relievers grappling with inconsistency. Jake Cousins, for example, has only one career save and has given up runs in his last three appearances. Similarly, Tommy Kahnle has struggled, allowing three runs on three hits while recording just one out on Sunday, followed by another run on Tuesday.
Luke Weaver had enjoyed a promising run of eight straight scoreless outings, but even he faltered, giving up two runs in an inning on Monday. Conversely, Mark Leiter Jr. has not found his rhythm since joining the Yankees, posting a disappointing 6.08 ERA.
There are a few bright spots in the bullpen. Tim Hill has been reliable, allowing only one run in his last nine appearances. However, Tim Mayza's performance has been a mixed bag; while he remains a talented arm, he has given up five runs on seven hits in six prior Yankees appearances.
Closing Conundrum
The ongoing struggle to find a dependable closer continues to be a significant challenge for the Yankees. Boone has voiced the necessity for stability in the closer role but has yet to find a surefire solution. As the Yankees approach the latter stages of the season, the pressure mounts on Boone and his pitching staff to tighten up their performance.
In facing the reality of these bullpen woes, Boone's decision to potentially keep Holmes as a closing option highlights the limited choices available. The Yankees' manager will need to dig deep into his bullpen and possibly make some unconventional choices to navigate this critical period.
It's clear that while the Yankees have the talent to make a deep playoff run, their bullpen's erratic nature could be their Achilles' heel. The team must quickly address these issues if they hope to sustain success through the final stretch of the season and into the playoffs.
Only time will reveal if the Yankees can stabilize their bullpen and regain their early-season form. But one thing is certain: Aaron Boone and his staff will need to be both strategic and creative as they aim to turn their fortunes around in a highly competitive AL East. The path forward will require not just performance on the mound but clear-headed decision-making at every level of the organization.