Aaron Judge has been leading the New York Yankees really well this season. They really look like a contender to be in the World Series. However, around mid-June, they seemed to lose their way a bit. Since June 13, the NY side went 6-16 in their following 22 games. Later, in July, the 27-time World Champions had an even worse start as they went 4-8. Then, after the Midsummer Classic, the Bronx Bombers went 2-5 at one point. Since then, they have somehow managed to win two series on the trot. At first, it was against the arch-rivals, the Boston Red Sox, that the Judge-led side won a three-game series 2-1.
Later, against the Philadelphia Phillies, the NY side managed to win another three-game series with one game to go. Hence, the Bronx Bombers have a chance to sweep the Phillies. For these last two series, the Bronx Bombers have been on the road, and it was important for them to get back to winning ways after a few difficult home series losses. Lately, the fans have been backlashing at the closer Clay Holmes a lot.
Aaron Judge Came In The Defense Of Clay Holmes
Lately, the Yankees avoided the opportunity to trade their top prospect, Spencer Jones, another outfielder, Everson Pereira, and so on. If they had traded these outfielders, it could have been very risky for their roster. But the fans may not like the fact that Brian Cashman did not trade the closer Clay Holmes. On Tuesday, during the ninth inning, there were many fans of the Bombers cursing Holmes as soon as his sweeper bounced past Austin Wells, the catcher. Due to his mistake, the Phillies managed to tie the game at Citizens Bank Park. Some fans believe that the Yankees GM could add Tanner Scott, an All-Star closer. Then, some other fans might curse Holmes for adding one more to his list of ‘Blown saves.’ Anyway, as per NJ Advance Media, the NY side’s captain showed full faith in the closer. After Tuesday’s close win, 7-6, Aaron Judge mentioned, “I don’t know what to tell you, but Clay Holmes is our closer.”
The Yankees captain said that the closer has been their guy, and he really wants Holmes out there in any situation. Adding to that, Judge noted, “Bases loaded, extra innings or no outs, top nine or bottom nine, whatever the situation, Clay is our guy.” Moreover, in the locker room, Judge said that he felt everybody in the room wanted Holmes on the mound in that situation. On top of that, the 2022 AL MVP said that Holmes has been in these situations and done that. Hence, he doesn’t really care what anybody else has to say about Holmes.
Yankees Manager Echoes The Captain
Aaron Boone said in the post-game interview that Holmes was throwing the ball great that night. It might be not the most popular thing to say, feels the manager, but said that the closer pitched really well. Against the Red Sox, Boone believes Holmes leaked some sinkers because he had a “Tough luck” that game.
Anyway, the Yankees skipper believes Clay Holmes is in a “really good spot with his pitches, that’s the fact of the matter.” Moreover, Boone said his sinker was pretty good. He believes they have a pretty good pitcher on their hands, “that’s throwing the ball well.”
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