Yankees Relievers Shine in ALCS, Drawing Comparisons to Past Champions

The New York Yankees showcased their formidable bullpen strategy during Game 2 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS), as manager Aaron Boone confidently turned to his relievers early in the game despite starter Gerrit Cole being on the mound. This tactical move paid off, as four Yankees relievers limited the opposition to just one run over 4 ²/₃ innings, helping secure the victory.

The effectiveness of the Yankees’ bullpen has been a highlight of their October games, having allowed only three runs—two earned—across 23 ¹/₃ innings in six postseason games. With a WHIP of just 0.857, the bullpen has compensated for the rotation’s brief outings. Key players like Luke Weaver, Clay Holmes, and Tommy Kahnle have consistently delivered in critical situations.

Holmes, who boasts an impressive 14 ²/₃ scoreless innings in 12 playoff appearances, emphasized the importance of the Yankees’ bullpen history, stating, “There’s a lot of history here with really good teams and the bullpens have been a big part of that. We know the challenge and opportunity we have here to be part of something special.”

The team’s journey to potentially reach their first World Series since 2009 has been fueled largely by their bullpen performance. Former Yankees pitcher Jeff Nelson, who was a part of the Yankees’ championship teams alongside Mariano Rivera, expressed admiration for the current bullpen. “No one can compare to Mo,” Nelson remarked, “but it’s pretty remarkable what these guys are doing.”

Adapting to various roles has been crucial for the Yankees’ bullpen success this season. Without a set closer, different pitchers like Weaver, Kahnle, and others have stepped into new positions. Nelson noted, “They’re asking a lot of them and it’s fair to compare what they’re doing to some of our playoff runs, but we did it for a long time.”

The bullpen features Holmes, who adjusted after losing the closer role, and Weaver, who took on the closer duties for the first time this year. Longtime bullpen coach Mike Harkey highlighted Holmes’ ability to handle pressure, saying, “He’s been one who’s really taken to the old Mariano adage, where if he’s going to be a closer or a late-inning, high leverage relief pitcher for the Yankees, he’s going to have to have a short memory.”

Despite the challenges of modern baseball, which requires relievers to face at least three batters per outing, the Yankees’ bullpen has excelled. “It takes a certain mentality to pitch well this time of year,” Nelson added. “There’s no tomorrow in the playoffs. You can’t have any hiccups and you don’t know how guys are gonna do until they get there. These guys didn’t have much experience, but they’re getting the job done.”

Holmes summed up the bullpen’s spirit by saying, “We feel like everyone is confident in us down there and they all feed off of it. You scratch some runs up early and let us finish. It’s working so far.” As the Yankees remain within two wins of the World Series, their bullpen’s performance remains pivotal to their success.