KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It was Clay Holmes on Wednesday night, and the Yankees got four more key outs in a one-run Game 3 against the Royals in the ALDS.
This was the latest part of an apparent turnaround for the right-hander, who lost his closer role earlier in the season but became one of the most important parts of the Yankees' postseason pen.
“Things haven't gone perfectly, but I can accept that,” Holmes said Wednesday after extending his postseason shutout streak to 12 innings in nine games. “It may not be perfect, it may limit me, but I still know what kind of pitcher I can be.”
There's a reason to think the right-handed pitcher pitched this well in October. The stressful situation forces Holmes to think less and just pitch.
“[The playoffs] Allow yourself to take it one out at a time and treat every out as the most important out in the game,” Holmes said. “It simplifies things, so you don't have to think about this lane or this batter in your head, because this out could be the most important out of the game. You just have to get every batter out. You never know in these games. For me, that mindset helps me simplify things and get the most out of my stuff from the get-go. It will push you to attack.”
Perhaps that explains some of Holmes' struggles this season, but the Yankees continue to talk about a specific “right-handed pitcher lane” that Holmes is suited for.
But on Wednesday, with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Holmes replaced Clark Schmidt, walked right-handed hitter Bobby Witt Jr., and hit left-hander Vinny Pasquantino with a fly ball to center field to keep the game tied. .
Follow The Post's coverage of the Yankees in the postseason.
Holmes also ended his appearance with a fly out to center field off another left-handed batter, MJ Melendez, to end the sixth inning.
It was the first time Holmes has appeared in a game before the seventh inning since 2022, when he appeared in a game starting in the fifth inning.
But there's no denying that his effectiveness has increased since being pulled from the closer role.
During the regular season, Holmes made 45 saves in 42 innings, posting a 3.86 ERA and 1.55 WHIP.
Holmes pitched 21 innings, posting a 1.71 ERA and 0.81 WHIP, with 22 saves.
“I can still get outs and I can still be a really good pitcher,” Holmes said. “I want to be a part of it, in whatever role, because I know the team here and what we're capable of. I want to help. It's helped me get back on my feet. I had good teammates who supported me and believed that I would bounce back.”
