Yankees’ Clay Holmes Emerges as Key Playoff Contributor

One of the significant questions for the New York Yankees heading into the postseason was the performance of reliever Clay Holmes following his demotion from the closer role. Holmes lost his position after conceding a walk-off grand slam to Wyatt Langford of the Texas Rangers on September 3, which marked his Major League Baseball (MLB)-leading 13th blown save. This moment seemed to be a low point for Holmes.

Since stepping down from the closer spot, Holmes has demonstrated remarkable resilience, posting a 1.38 Earned Run Average (ERA) over 13 innings spanning both the regular season and postseason. His performance was instrumental in the Yankees’ American League Division Series (ALDS) victory over the Kansas City Royals, where they prevailed three games to one. Holmes’ contribution included five shutout innings across four appearances in the series.

In his appearances during the ALDS, Holmes relied heavily on his sinker, using it in 71% of the 58 pitches he delivered. This pitch has been a cornerstone of Holmes’ arsenal throughout his seven-year career in the majors, often correlating with his success when executed effectively. Holmes’ unexpected strong performances have positioned him as a critical asset for the Yankees in the playoffs.

As the Yankees advance to face either the Detroit Tigers or Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series (ALCS), they will count on Holmes to maintain his reliability in late-game situations. While Luke Weaver has excelled in the closer role, securing all three saves in the Yankees’ ALDS wins, Holmes remains a valuable asset as a setup man in the eighth inning.

The Yankees’ bullpen will be crucial for their ambition to secure their first American League pennant and World Series title since 2009. Holmes’ contributions could be vital in achieving these goals, having already been a surprising boost for the team in October.

The coverage of this evolving story is supported by Pat Ragazzo, a prominent reporter and executive editor for Sports Illustrated‘s Mets and Yankees On SI websites. Ragazzo is recognized for his leadership and dedication, receiving accolades such as The Top Reporter & Publisher of the Year 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP).