Luke Weaver become the New York Yankees’ closer in September after the team confronted Clay Holmes’ consistency The newbie rose to the occasion to take over the mantle perfectly and in doing so, he has etched his name alongside another legendary Yankee.
Weaver’s impressive September, where he logged 11 scoreless innings and struck out 24 batters over his final eight outings, earned him the chance to step into the spotlight in October. In Game 1 of the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals, a back-and-forth battle ensued, with the lead changing five times—a postseason record. Holmes managed to steady the ship in the sixth and seventh innings, and the Yankees clung to a 6-5 lead when Weaver was called in with two outs in the top of the eighth.
He quickly dispatched Maikel Garcia with a strikeout to end the inning, then returned to pitch a flawless ninth, securing a 1-0 series lead for New York in the best-of-five matchup. It was a clutch save in Weaver’s postseason debut, and it solidified his role as a key figure for the Yankees in their playoff run.
Statistical analyst Katie Sharp highlighted Weaver’s achievement, noting he became just the second pitcher in Yankees history to record a save of at least four outs in a one-run playoff game without allowing a baserunner. The only other Yankee to accomplish this was Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera, who did it four times—most famously in Game 2 of the 2001 ALCS, Game 3 of the 2001 World Series, Game 3 of the 2003 ALCS, and Game 4 of the 2005 ALDS.
At 31, Weaver’s journey to this moment has been anything but smooth. He has played for six teams across nine seasons, compiling a 5.14 ERA, 1.438 WHIP, and 0.7 WAR in 144 appearances before arriving in New York. Yet, 2024 marked a turning point. Weaver finished the regular season with a 7-3 record, a 2.89 ERA, a 0.929 WHIP, and 1.9 WAR in 62 games.
While Weaver’s career may not compare to Rivera’s legendary tenure, his rise this season has been a welcome surprise for Yankees fans. His ability to translate late-season success into a historic postseason save has been an invaluable boost for New York’s championship quest.
Weaver becomes the sentinel of Yankees fortress
On Saturday night, 31-year-old Luke Weaver made an unexpected yet impressive postseason debut as the Yankees’ closer. Despite not fitting the traditional mold of a dominant, hard-throwing closer, he displayed unwavering composure at Yankee Stadium.
Pitching in the spotlight for one of baseball’s most storied franchises during the critical playoff stretch, Weaver looked unfazed by the pressure. With no previous experience as a closer until September 6, his calm demeanor was evident in several tense moments. He took over in the eighth inning with two outs and the tying run on first, promptly striking out the batter to escape the jam. In the ninth, he found himself in a 3-0 count against Kansas City star Bobby Witt Jr. but battled back to strike him out looking. Weaver then retired Vinnie Pasquantino to secure a 6-5 win for New York in Game 1 of the American League Division Series.
The Yankees turned to Weaver after Clay Holmes faltered late in the regular season, losing his grip on the closer role. Manager Aaron Boone removed Holmes from ninth-inning duties for the season’s final month, opening the door for Weaver, who answered the call with authority. Weaver converted all four of his September save chances, striking out 25 batters in 12 innings and limiting opponents to a .438 OPS.
Much has been said recently about Weaver’s evolving pitch arsenal, a factor that has contributed to his breakout season. However, for any Yankees pitcher, the true proving ground comes in October.
In his first postseason appearance, Weaver passed the test with flying colors. He retired all four batters he faced, showcasing the poise and precision needed for the high-pressure closer role. As the Yankees chase another championship, Weaver has made a strong case as the team’s new go-to option in critical late-game situations.
Luke Weaver’s standout performance on Saturday placed him in elite company among Yankees relievers who have secured four-out or longer saves in their postseason debuts—an achievement that hadn’t been matched in nearly 75 years. Weaver joined a historic list that includes, Wilcy Moore (1927), Johnny Murphy (1936), and Joe Page (1947).
The Yankees have long been synonymous with dominant closers in October, from Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage to John Wetteland and Mariano Rivera. Luke Weaver’s journey to becoming the team’s latest closer, however, stands out as a departure from tradition.
Weaver, who began his career as a journeyman starter and reliever, found his way to the Yankees via a waiver claim from the Mariners on September 12, 2023. He re-signed with the club as a free agent in January on a one-year, $2 million contract, with a $2.5 million option. That decision now seems like a calculated risk that has paid off for New York.
Explaining why he returned to the Yankees after his short stint last season, Weaver pointed to the allure of pitching in pivotal postseason moments. He expressed his desire to be more than a spectator in the playoffs, acknowledging that high-pressure games like Saturday’s are the defining moments for any player.
“I just got tired of waiting,” the Yankees closer explained. “I got here for many reasons, but the reason is to try to win, to go deep into the playoffs, first and foremost, and just be there — not watching it on TV. It’s everything you dream of. It’s all the clichés mixed into one. But it truly does mean something and I hope it continues.”
Weaver also demonstrated an acute awareness of the Yankees’ legacy and the weight of expectation that comes with wearing the pinstripes in October. He acknowledged that, to truly etch his name in the team’s storied history, he’ll need to continue delivering memorable performances throughout the postseason.
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