Yankees find silver lining in trio’s promise despite Williams wrecking the boat

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The Yankees’ trio — Carrasco shines, Volpe awakens, Bellinger delivers — shows signs of revival despite Williams’ collapse leading to loss in Toronto.

NEW YORK — Devin Williams’ rocky ninth inning on Friday night sent a wave of frustration through Yankee Stadium. The All-Star closer, brought in to secure a narrow lead, instead gave up a two-run double to Alejandro Kirk, giving away a 4-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. The boos were deafening as Williams walked off the mound, his outing symbolizing the volatility of a bullpen that was expected to be a strength.

Yet amid the disappointment, there were bright spots — three Yankees under heavy scrutiny showed signs of turning a corner. Carlos Carrasco, Anthony Volpe, and Cody Bellinger, all of whom have struggled at points this season, delivered performances that suggest better days may be ahead.

Williams fails Yankees in the ninth

Williams, acquired from Milwaukee to anchor the Yankees’ bullpen, has had a difficult time adjusting to the Bronx spotlight. Friday’s meltdown wasn’t his first shaky outing in pinstripes, but it was among the most costly. Coming into the game with a slim lead, Williams allowed a key hit that let the Blue Jays pull away.

This marked another troubling chapter in what has been a disappointing start for the reliever, who now owns 0-2 record with an ERA of 11.25 and WHIP of 2.38 in 2025. His command issues and inability to put hitters away in critical moments have left Yankees manager Aaron Boone searching for answers.

Carrasco returns with vintage performance

While Williams’ struggles dominated postgame chatter, Carlos Carrasco gave the Yankees every chance to win with a performance reminiscent of his prime. The 38-year-old right-hander turned in his best outing of the season, tossing five scoreless innings on just 67 pitches. He allowed only two walks and struck out a pair, keeping Toronto hitters off balance.

Carrasco entered the game with a troubling 6.53 ERA and had failed to complete five innings in several of his earlier starts. His previous outing saw him give up three runs in four innings against the Rays, raising further concerns about his effectiveness. But Friday, he was sharp, mixing his pitches well and avoiding the long counts that have plagued him.

Despite this strong outing, Carrasco’s season numbers remain underwhelming: a 6.53 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and a worrisome .500+ wOBA against both his slider and four-seam fastball. However, if Friday is any indication, he may be finding a rhythm just when the Yankees need it most.

Anthony Volpe finds a spark

Anthony Volpe, who has endured a brutal stretch at the plate, gave Yankees fans hope with a much-needed double and run scored. Batting seventh in the lineup against Toronto, the young shortstop seemed more composed and selective, breaking out of a slump that had seen his average dip to .198.

Volpe’s season has been a rollercoaster. He’s slashing just .202/.303/.394, with a .697 OPS. His strikeout rate has ballooned to 28.4%, and over the past two weeks, he’s hit a dismal .170/.286/.234. His power has disappeared as well, with no home runs in three weeks.

Yet, the Yankees remain committed to him, seeing long-term potential. “We still believe his ceiling is between .260 and .285 with 15-20 home runs,” Boone said earlier this week. Volpe’s ability to adjust, especially on high fastballs that have given him trouble, will determine how quickly he can climb back.

Friday’s performance, while modest, was a step in the right direction.

Bellinger shows life at the plate

Cody Bellinger, another high-profile offseason addition, also showed signs of life. Moving to the fifth spot in the lineup for the first time this season, Bellinger collected a single, a double, a walk, and scored a run. It was his most productive game in weeks and provided a much-needed boost to a struggling offense.

Before Friday, Bellinger was batting just .179 with a .237 OBP and .313 slugging percentage. His struggles against breaking pitches (.091 average) and a 25% strikeout rate had raised concerns about his role in the lineup.

Interestingly, Bellinger’s exit velocity has improved this year, averaging 90.8 mph, up from his career norm of 89.4 mph. Boone has noted that Bellinger’s bat-to-ball skills remain strong, but his increased strikeouts are a concern.

Beyond the bat, Bellinger’s athleticism has been a plus. He made another standout defensive play earlier this week, securing a game-ending catch at the warning track. It’s these flashes of brilliance that keep the Yankees hopeful he can return to form.

A mixed bag for the Yankees

The 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays highlighted both the Yankees’ strengths and weaknesses. Williams’ late-game collapse underscored bullpen instability, but the performances of Carrasco, Volpe, and Bellinger offer reasons for optimism.

With the season now entering its critical May stretch, the Yankees will need more consistency from their veterans and young stars alike. Carrasco’s ability to build on his outing could stabilize the back end of the rotation, while Volpe and Bellinger must continue to find their rhythm to support the heart of the lineup.

As for Williams, Boone faces a tough decision. Will he stick with his closer through these struggles, or look to others in the bullpen to finish games? One thing is certain — the Yankees can’t afford many more late-inning letdowns if they hope to stay atop the AL East.

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