15 2/3 innings of dominance: Yankees bullpen shines in ALDS win

The Yankees' bullpen played a crucial role in their success during the ALDS, allowing no earned runs over 15 2/3 innings. Luke Weaver picked up three saves, showcasing the resilience and tenacity of the relievers, leading the Yankees to a 3-1 victory over the Royals and into the ALCS. Her performance is historically significant, ranking among the third-most innings without an earned run in a postseason series. In addition to Weaver, Clay Holmes and others contributed to an impressive collective performance, holding their opponents to a .143 batting average.

Through the numbers

• The Yankees' bullpen threw 15 2/3 scoreless innings, the third-most in postseason history.
• Opponents batted just .143 against Yankee relievers during the series (8-for-56).

Yes but

Despite the bullpen's success, concerns remain about their overall performance in the regular season, where Holmes struggled with 13 blown saves, raising questions about their consistency heading into the ALCS.

state of affairs

• The Yankees will face either the Guardians or the Tigers in the ALCS starting Monday night.
• Weaver solidifies his role as the de facto closer and provides a new lease of life in late-game situations.

What's next?

Looking forward, if the bullpen maintains its current form, the Yankees could be a deciding factor in the ALCS and significantly increase their chances of advancing further in the playoffs.

Conclusion

The Yankees' bullpen has become a formidable force, and their continued dominance will be crucial to postseason success. Building a reliable bullpen is critical as they aim for another championship.