Yankees fans cry foul over calendar’s awkward photo choice

Monday September 23, 2024

The New York Yankees are facing mounting challenges as they near the postseason. Despite holding a firm grip on a playoff spot, their control over the AL East title has been steadily eroding.

A key contributor to the Yankees’ struggles has been the inconsistency of closer Clay Holmes. In a recent series against the Texas Rangers, Holmes faltered, marking the eighth time this season that New York has blown a lead after the eighth inning. This puts them second in the league for such losses, a glaring statistic that could have drastically shifted their standing in the division. If they had held on to win just half of those games, they might now be comfortably ahead of the Baltimore Orioles.

Reports suggest internal disagreement within the Yankees‘ front office over Holmes’ role moving forward. As the team seeks to stabilize its bullpen ahead of the playoffs, there appears to be no clear consensus on how to address their late-game woes.

Further complicating the issue is the limited bullpen depth, exacerbated by general manager Brian Cashman’s perceived shortcomings at the trade deadline. With few reliable in-house options to replace Holmes, the Yankees are exploring different strategies to avoid late-inning collapses during the season’s final stretch.

On Sept 11, 2024, Clay Holmes blew his 12th save of the season during the Yankees' win over the Royals at Yankee Stadium — SL.com

As they prepare for October, a month synonymous with Yankee success, the team hopes to draw on their past playoff experience to find a spark. However, as they gear up for the crucial games ahead, an unforeseen issue—whose nature remains unclear—has surfaced, adding yet another layer of uncertainty to an already precarious situation.

As the postseason looms, the New York Yankees find themselves grappling with a crucial decision regarding reliever Clay Holmes. Despite growing concerns from fans who hope to see him eased out of high-leverage roles in October, it appears Holmes will remain a key figure in tight late-game situations. The prospect of Holmes taking the mound in frigid playoff weather—his breath visible in the chilly air—against teams like the Baltimore Orioles or AL Central contenders is a source of anxiety for the Yankees faithful.

Holmes’ struggles have been glaring, particularly with his sinker, once a dominant pitch in his arsenal. In 2024, opposing hitters are batting an alarming .336 against it, highlighting the sharp decline in its effectiveness. Even after being relieved of his closer duties, Holmes has faltered in pressure-packed moments, blowing two more saves in the span of a week. This has only intensified the urgency for the Yankees to address their bullpen woes before October.

The reliever’s problems seem to persist regardless of the weather, whether in the hot summer or the cooler autumn months. If the Yankees fail to shore up their late-inning pitching, they risk falling short of their postseason ambitions.

In a final twist, the team’s calendar draws some lighthearted yet pointed criticism. A reference to Luis Gonzalez as the Yankees’ representative for November—an obvious nod to his game-winning hit in the 2001 World Series—offers a tongue-in-cheek reminder of past heartbreak. As the Yankees eye another deep postseason run, they hope this November brings a different outcome.