The New York Yankees rolled into Detroit with a point to prove: they could stand toe-to-toe with the Tigers in a playoff-like showdown. Instead, they’re limping out of the series, grappling with a bullpen meltdown that has turned tight games into humiliating routs. Wednesday night’s 11-1 thrashing at the hands of the Tigers marked the second straight game where the Yankees’ relief corps collapsed, raising serious questions about their postseason hopes.
The Yankees (80-65) suffered a rare and ignominious feat, losing by 10-plus runs on consecutive nights for only the third time in the franchise’s storied history. The defeat not only stung but also cost them a chance to close the gap on the Toronto Blue Jays, who lead the AL East by three games. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox, who lost their series finale to the Athletics in Sacramento, remain just percentage points behind the Yankees for the top AL wild-card spot. With a crucial three-game series against Boston looming on Friday, the Yankees are at a crossroads.
The Yankees’ bullpen, once seen as a strength, has become a glaring liability. On Tuesday, they surrendered 10 runs, nine in a catastrophic seventh inning. Wednesday was no better, with nine runs allowed over the final three frames, including a five-run eighth that blew the game wide open. Mark Leiter Jr., a veteran right-hander, was at the heart of the implosion for the second night in a row. Entering a 2-0 game in the seventh, Leiter gave up back-to-back singles and uncorked his third wild pitch in two nights, setting the stage for Detroit’s onslaught.
Camilo Doval, a key trade-deadline acquisition, also faltered. After an RBI groundout to Gleyber Torres, Doval surrendered three runs in the eighth, capped by a crushing two-run homer from Riley Greene that pushed Detroit’s lead to 5-0. The Tigers piled on from there, leaving the Yankees shell-shocked.
“These nights are frustrating,” manager Aaron Boone said postgame, his tone a mix of exasperation and resolve. “But it’s that time of year. We got to get over it.”
Boone’s message to his bullpen was short and unsparing: move on, but don’t forget. It was a stark reminder that in the crucible of September baseball, there’s no room for lingering on failure. The words, though harsh, were precisely what his struggling relievers needed to hear as they face a defining stretch.
The bullpen’s collapse is not a one-off. Since the trade deadline, the Yankees rank 28th in bullpen ERA (5.57), ahead of only the Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins. Their season-long bullpen ERA of 4.54 places them a dismal 24th in the majors. Ironically, the Yankees bolstered their relief corps at the deadline, expecting to solidify their postseason push. Instead, the new additions—Leiter, Doval, Fernando Cruz, and Tim Hill—have been at the center of recent implosions.
“It obviously got away from us there in the eighth,” Boone said, pinpointing the moment the game slipped beyond reach. “They’ve been able to add on in some close games.”
Despite the struggles, Boone remains steadfast in his faith in his relievers. He noted that the blowups have come from lower-leverage arms, while praising Cruz’s overall performance despite his recent “hiccup.” “These are two nights where we haven’t got it done,” Boone said. “But there’s been a lot of good. The last two nights have obviously been rough.”
The Yankees’ bats, typically a powerhouse, have been stifled by Detroit’s pitching. In five head-to-head games this season, New York is 1-4 and has mustered just nine runs. Wednesday’s offense was limited to three solo home runs, with only four extra-base hits across the first two games of the series.
“We gotta create some traffic [on the bases],” Boone said, acknowledging the team’s inability to sustain rallies. “That was a challenge for us tonight.”
As the Yankees head to Boston, the pressure is mounting. The bullpen’s failures have exposed vulnerabilities that could derail their postseason aspirations. Yet, Boone’s message—blunt and unyielding—sets the tone for a team that must regroup quickly. With the AL East race tightening and the wild-card battle heating up, the Yankees can’t afford another misstep. The question now is whether Boone’s words will spark a turnaround or if the bullpen’s struggles will define their 2025 season.