The New York Yankees have been scuffling for a while.
Ever since the All-Star break, they have been one of the worst teams in the AL East, the division they lead with a 10-game cushion.
They are 14-23 with a .378 winning percentage since July 3, which seems hard to believe considering they have a 72-44 record.
A big reason why the Yankees have been so bad in recent weeks is that their bullpen corps have been decimated by injuries and underperformance.
In fact, MLB statistician Katie Sharp tweeted an incredible stat, considering how good the Yanks’ bullpen was in the first half.
“Yankees have allowed 15 runs in the 9th inning or later since July 12. That’s tied with the Brewers for the most in MLB over that span,” she said.
Yankees have allowed 15 runs in the 9th inning or later since July 12.
That’s tied with the Brewers for the most in MLB over that span.
— Katie Sharp (@ktsharp) August 16, 2022
A big part of the Yanks’ bullpen struggles have to do with the fact that Clay Holmes just hasn’t been the same since the first half.
Holmes Has Crashed Back To Earth
Untouchable in the first three months of the 2022 campaign, it appears hitters finally have their number.
He has allowed seven earned runs in his last six innings, for a 10.50 ERA.
He also has a 2.17 WHIP over that span, with seven walks: hitters aren’t fooled by his stuff anymore.
He will need to make adjustments before the Yanks can trust him in high-leverage situations again.
Other relievers the Yankees thought they could trust, such as Jonathan Loaisiga, Michael King, and Aroldis Chapman, are currently struggling or injured.
New York has also lost Chad Green, and Zack Britton still hasn’t pitched this year.
Their bullpen is currently in shambles, and one of their best relievers, Ron Marinaccio, is in the minor leagues.
Things will have to change before the Yankees bullpen can be dependable again.
