The New York Yankees hopes heading into the series finale against Detroit Tigers were up. Marked by the Little League celebrations, the Yanks were confident of winning the series before the Detroit Tigers ended up being the better team. And the culprit of the loss was once again closer, Clay Holmes.
Clay Holmes’ regression after the first couple of months has been concerning and unacceptable to say the least. Despite getting an All-Star nod, Holmes has been a liability off lately. Moreover, with the final phase of the season approaching, perhaps, the New York Yankees need to reconsider its priorities and take bold decisions before its too late.
Clay Holmes Leads MLB With Season-High Blown Saves
Clay Holmes’ tenure as the New York Yankees’ closer has been a rollercoaster ride, raising significant questions about his reliability in the role moving forward. Initially hailed as a dominant force in the bullpen, with a 20-game scoreless streak, Holmes has experienced fluctuating performances that have led to doubts about whether he can consistently handle high-pressure situations. In the latest implosion, the pitcher blew up his 10th season save against the Tigers, thus leading the MLB in the unwanted list. When quizzed about the relief pitcher’s future, Boone reaffirmed his faith in his guy Clay and confirmed retaining him for the rest of the season. However, nothing is ever certain in MLB.
When the playoff ship falls into jeopardy, the New York Yankees will be required to reassess its priorities. One of the most concerning aspects of Holmes’ performance has been his tendency to implode in critical moments. While his overall numbers may still look solid on paper, his ERA and strikeout rates remain respectable, and the timing of his struggles has been problematic. Meanwhile, the Yankees have other options in the bullpen, including Mark Leiter and Tommy Kahnle, both of whom have shown the potential to handle late-inning duties. A potential shift in the bullpen hierarchy could be on the horizon if Holmes continues to falter. Another factor in this discussion is the psychological aspect of the closer role. Pitching in the ninth inning, with the game on the line, requires a unique mental toughness. Hence, the Yanks look to solidify their bullpen for the stretch run.
Yankees Unveil Starters For Guardians Series
After a series defeat to the Detroit Tigers, the New York Yankees will resume the season with a three-game series against Cleveland Guardians. Ahead of the series opener, the Yanks released a list of probable starters for the series. The series will be inaugurated by rookie starter Luis Gil, who has a 3.25 ERA across 121.2 innings pitched this season.
Next up will be Nestor Cortes, who is relatively having a tough year. He currently owns 6-10 record with a 4.20 ERA. Last but not the least, the series will con clue with New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. Cole’s injury riddled season has been shaky with 4-2 record and a 4.15 ERA in 52 innings pitched across 10 starts.
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