Yankees’ Bullpen Strategy As Playoffs Loom
As the playoffs draw nearer, be prepared to witness more of what the Yankees showcased in their recent 2-0 victory: an inning apiece from Brent Headrick, Paul Blackburn, and David Bednar.
If you’re keeping an eye on the season, you’ve likely noticed this trio multiple times already, and they’ve certainly made a positive impact for the team.
However, there’s a question looming—can they maintain this approach? Headrick leads the majors in appearances and entered Sunday with 73 ¹/₃ innings pitched, placing him ninth among all relievers.
Blackburn follows closely, sitting in fifth place with 76 ²/₃ innings, while among closers, only Cade Smith from Cleveland has pitched more than Bednar’s 64 ¹/₃ innings after Sunday’s game.
Before the game, Aaron Boone expressed a desire for a lighter workload for some of the key relievers, mentioning that they’ve been looking to ease their innings recently for a bit of a reset. Yet, as they continue to chase the Rays in the AL East and fend off the Red Sox for the top wild-card position, Boone acknowledged the need to avoid overusing them, even in critical situations. “They’re all ready to roll,” he noted. “Whenever we have a chance to win a game, I’m going to call on them,” he added.
Sunday’s game proved effective once again, with the three relievers combining for three shutout innings in support of Cam Schlittler’s impressive performance.
Blackburn, in his first complete season as a reliever, commented on how adapting to the demands of relief pitching has been a change for him, but he feels prepared for the intense schedule ahead, especially as the playoffs approach.
“Mentally, that’s where we are and what we believe in,” he said. “We’ll probably pitch every day in the playoffs. We’re ready for that, and that’s a good thing for us. It’s not gonna surprise us. We know how to go out there with whatever we’ve got that day.”
Headrick, who has emerged as a standout lefty in the bullpen this season, attributes his success to offseason preparation, which included strengthening his skills and improving his secondary pitches.
“It’s something we’re proud of as a group, being able to contribute all season long,” Headrick remarked. “We understand these games are like mini-tests for the postseason, but we don’t look too far ahead. We just want to keep on going.”
Additionally, pitching coach Matt Blake has emphasized the importance of complete rest days for pitchers in an effort to keep them fresh for the crucial moments ahead.
He’s aware that the strategy may not yield the desired results until the end of the season.
But Sunday was yet another successful outing, hitting the mark just as they aimed for.
