Weaver channels ’98 Rivera, thwarts Soto threat to assure Yankees win

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Yankees’ Weaver mirrors Rivera’s historic ’98 performance, rescues team in dramatic Soto showdown.

The tension at Yankee Stadium Friday night was palpable. A comfortable 6-1 lead against the crosstown rival Mets had suddenly turned precarious in the ninth inning. Two runners on base, two outs, and Juan Soto—one of baseball’s most feared sluggers—stepping into the batter’s box as the potential tying run.

When Aaron Boone emerged from the dugout to pull the struggling Yerry De Los Santos after 25 laborious pitches, he didn’t hesitate in his decision. Despite having thrown three innings just a day earlier, Luke Weaver would get the call.

The 31-year-old reliever promptly delivered. Attacking Soto with precision, Weaver induced a harmless fly ball to center field on an 0-1 changeup, sealing the Yankees’ 6-2 victory and preserving momentum for the surging 25-18 ballclub.

Weaver’s feat recalls historic numbers from Rivera’s prime

The comparisons are no longer hyperbole—Weaver’s statistics place him in rarified air just ahead of the 2025 Subway Series. Through 17 appearances this season, his numbers defy belief: 0.45 ERA, 0.600 WHIP, and 1.4 WAR with nearly 10 strikeouts per nine innings.

According to statistician Katie Sharp, Weaver has accomplished something seen only once before in franchise history. He’s just the second Yankees pitcher to allow fewer than 15 baserunners through his first 17 games (minimum 20 innings) while maintaining a sub-0.50 ERA. The other? Mariano Rivera during the 1998 championship campaign.

Weaver’s dominance reached another peak Wednesday night against Seattle when he struck out all three batters faced in the ninth, securing his fourth save and cementing a nail-biting 3-2 victory. He followed this into the Subway Series opener with a save for the Yankees.

From failed starter to relief sensation

The path to Weaver’s emergence wasn’t straightforward. Originally drafted as a starting pitcher, his career seemed destined for the “what might have been” file after stints with six different organizations.

His pre-Yankees resume told a story of unfulfilled potential: 27-42 record, 5.14 ERA, and 1.438 WHIP across eight frustrating seasons. The numbers suggested a pitcher with talent but lacking consistency or direction.

Everything changed in 2024 when the Yankees’ pitching architects reimagined Weaver as a full-time reliever. The transformation yielded immediate dividends: a 7-3 record with 2.89 ERA and 0.929 WHIP over 66 regular-season innings, followed by a stellar 1.76 ERA during the postseason.

What began as a career-saving adjustment has evolved into something far more significant in 2025.

The ultimate leverage weapon

Weaver’s microscopic 0.44 ERA ranks among the elite for any reliever with 20+ innings pitched this season. Yet what separates him isn’t just the numbers but his versatility.

Unlike traditional closers, Weaver has become Boone’s tactical ace, deployed in the ninth when needed but equally effective bridging critical seventh and eighth-inning moments. This calculated flexibility has maximized his impact across multiple high-leverage situations.

Friday’s rescue mission against Soto—after already working three innings earlier in the week—demonstrates the implicit trust he’s earned from the coaching staff. When pressure mounts, Weaver has become Boone’s first call, regardless of inning or matchup.

Future implications for Yankees’ October ambitions

As injuries continue mounting for the Yankees’ pitching corps— Jonathan Loaisiga makes his return to action only on Friday—Weaver’s importance grows exponentially. His durability and effectiveness provide Boone with rare strategic options in a reshuffled bullpen.

Looking toward October, the Yankees now possess a formidable late-inning tandem in Devin Williams and Weaver. What once appeared to be a potential vulnerability has transformed into a strength, with Weaver positioning himself for a more defined ninth-inning role as the pennant race intensifies.

An All-Star selection, once unthinkable for a pitcher who signed a modest deal as a converted reliever, now seems increasingly plausible with each dominant outing.

From castoff to cornerstone

Weaver’s renaissance perfectly encapsulates the Yankees’ 2025 campaign—built on resilience, reinvention, and redemption.

His journey from waiver-wire afterthought to high-leverage savior represents everything the organization values. His numbers evoke memories of Rivera’s historic beginnings. Most importantly, his steady hand has repeatedly rescued the team from potential disaster.

Friday night could have unraveled quickly. Instead, Weaver calmly took the ball, executed his pitch, and walked off to thunderous applause from the Bronx faithful.

In saving the game, he reinforced what Yankees fans increasingly believe: the bullpen has discovered a new weapon, and his name is Luke Weaver.

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