Yankees owe a lot to Torres, bullpen for their ALDS Game 4 triumph

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Gleyber Torres played a key role in the New York Yankees’ series-clinching win over the Kansas City Royals in Game 4 of the American League Division Series (ALDS). His strong performance at Kauffman Stadium helped secure a 3-1 victory, as he delivered two hits, scored a run, and drove in a critical two-out RBI.

Torres set the tone for the Yankees’ offense early, doubling to center on the first pitch of the game. He quickly scored on Juan Soto’s single just two pitches later, providing an immediate spark. Aaron Judge acknowledged the importance of Torres’ aggressive start in such a pivotal game, “Gleyber starting it off in a big game for us, a big spot.”

The Yankees second baseman’s surge in productivity coincides with his move to the leadoff spot, a shift that has sparked his resurgence late in the season. Torres scored four of the Yankees’ 14 runs during the four-game series, underscoring his vital role in the lineup.

Manager Aaron Boone praised Torres’ ability to consistently get on base while maintaining his aggressive approach. He pointed to Torres’ first-pitch double and timely RBI single as examples of his recent high-quality at-bats, which have been instrumental in the team’s success in recent months.

“He’s getting on base at such a high clip,” the Yankees skipper told to media after the win. “But you see the aggression, too. First pitch of the game, here we go, boom. Then the RBI to extend the lead. He’s just been having such quality at-bats now for a couple of months, and it’s been huge.”

Beyond his offensive contributions, the Yankees’ second baseman also played a calming role in a tense moment during the sixth inning. When benches cleared after a hard slide by Maikel Garcia into Anthony Volpe, Torres stepped in to defuse the situation, helping guide Garcia away while tensions flared between him and Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Torres’ postseason performance comes at a critical juncture in his career as he approaches free agency. Earlier this year, he expressed his desire to remain a “Yankee for life,” adding an interesting subplot to his strong playoff showing.

With the Yankees now one step closer to their first World Series appearance since 2009, Torres’ performance could weigh heavily on the team’s decision regarding his future. The Yankees will need to determine whether to extend a qualifying offer to him within five days after the World Series concludes.

Yankees bullpen continues to shine

The New York Yankees clinched their American League Division Series (ALDS) against the Kansas City Royals in Game 4, thanks in large part to stellar bullpen performances from Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver. Their strong outings helped the Yankees close out the series and highlighted a bullpen that has emerged as one of the most formidable remaining in the playoffs.

Holmes expressed confidence in the Yankees’ relievers, crediting the rest they received at the end of the regular season for their sharp postseason form. He emphasized the need for the bullpen to sustain this level of play as the team advances deeper into October.

“We’ve always been confident with ourselves there,’’ the ex-Yankees closer remarked. “We got a little rest [at the end of the regular season] and it did us good. We always believed we were good enough. We had ups and downs, but it’s good to see when we’re needed the most, guys have been at their best. Now, we’re all together and we’ve got to keep it up.”

Across the series, the Yankees’ bullpen pitched 15 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run. Weaver has particularly solidified his role as the team’s closer, stepping up in critical moments.

Reflecting on the bullpen’s season-long journey, Holmes acknowledged the ups and downs they endured but took pride in how the group has delivered when it mattered most.

In Game 4, Holmes retired Michael Massey and Bobby Witt Jr. in the eighth inning, setting the stage for Weaver to close. Weaver then delivered a flawless ninth inning, retiring Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Perez, and Yuli Gurriel to secure the Yankees’ spot in the American League Championship Series (ALCS).

Weaver admitted it was surreal to be in the closer role for such a high-stakes moment, reflecting on the challenges he had faced throughout his career to reach this point.

Both Weaver and Holmes have experienced fluctuating performances throughout their careers, but they have become crucial late-inning options for Yankees manager Aaron Boone. Boone praised the depth and versatility of his bullpen, emphasizing the value of having multiple reliable arms during the postseason.

While Weaver has become the Yankees’ go-to closer, Holmes has proven to be a key playoff performer. He extended his postseason scoreless streak to 13 innings across 10 appearances, a significant turnaround after struggling with consistency during the regular season, which led to him losing the closer role.

Holmes reflected on his journey, acknowledging the bumps along the way but expressing confidence in his ability to deliver when needed. Despite the challenges, he remains focused on contributing to the Yankees’ pursuit of a championship.

The Yankees reliever credits the high-pressure environment of playoff baseball for his recent postseason success. Holmes said the intensity of these games forces him to simplify his approach, focusing solely on each out as if it were the most crucial. This mindset, he believes, helps him avoid overthinking and allows him to pitch more aggressively from the start.

“Things haven’t gone perfectly, and I can accept that,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s not perfect, and I can be limited sometimes, but I still know the pitcher I can be. [The playoffs] allow me to take it one out at a time and treat every out as the most important out of the game. It simplifies things. It makes it so you’re not in your head, thinking about this lane or this batter. You’ve got to get every batter out because this out can be the most pivotal out of the game. You never know in these games. For me, that mentality simplifies things and helps me get the most out of my stuff from the get-go. It puts me on the attack.”

Holmes’ strategy may explain some of his inconsistency during the regular season. The Yankees have often discussed his effectiveness against specific “lanes of righties,” signaling a targeted use of his skills depending on the situation.

A deeper look at the numbers highlights a significant difference in Holmes’ performance in save versus non-save situations during the regular season. In 45 save opportunities for the Yankees, covering 42 innings, he posted a 3.86 ERA and a 1.548 WHIP. However, in 22 non-save appearances across 21 innings, he improved to a 1.71 ERA with a 0.810 WHIP.

Despite his midseason struggles, Holmes remained confident in his abilities, expressing a desire to contribute to the Yankees in whatever role was needed. He credited his resilience to the unwavering support from his teammates, who trusted he would bounce back.

Holmes’ ability to adapt and stay mentally tough has been a driving force behind his postseason resurgence, establishing him as a key member of the Yankees’ bullpen in their push for a championship.

“We’re set up so well down there now,’’ an elated Yankees manager Boone said. “So many guys are throwing it well that it gives us a lot of options, which is important this time of year.”

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