A lot has gone right for the New York Yankees early on in 2022.
The bats have been booming, the starters have going deep into games, and the bullpen has been solid.
Speaking of the bullpen, one would expect that Aroldis Chapman would be the dominant force in that group of pitchers.
But for the Yankees, it’s been someone different.
Right-hander Clay Holmes, who was picked up from the Pittsburgh Pirates a season ago at the trade deadline, earned his ninth save of the season last night against the Minnesota Twins, as the Yankees came from way back to win and take the series.
Yankees insider Max Goodman revealed some of Holmes’ stats on Twitter, and let’s just say they’re some pretty stout numbers.
Clay Holmes since April 9th:
27 IP, 0 R, 12 H, 29 K, 3 BB, 9 S
— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) June 10, 2022
Holmes’ Dominance
Could Holmes end up earning the closer’s job for the Yankees?
Since Chapman has been out, Holmes has been the guy, but even when Chapman returns, it may not be wise for manager Aaron Boone to pull Holmes out of the closer’s role.
As the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, or in simpler terms, if it’s working, don’t mess with it.
Holmes has taken control of that role in Chapman’s absence and has seemingly run with it.
If you’re Boone, why would you want to move him out of the role when Chapman comes back, even given Chapman’s track record?
Holmes has been the most dominant reliever in the Yankees’ bullpen, posting a microscopic ERA of 0.33 in 26 games.
He’s also got a 4-0 record on the season.
If you’re the Yankees, you go with what’s working.
Holmes has been their best reliever and has come through in the clutch countless times for them.
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