This weekend is not the end of the world for the Yankees, but some glaring holes are showing

Image Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees dropped two out of three games to the struggling Boston Red Sox over the weekend, a disappointing outcome given the Red Sox’s recent performance. While the Yankees’ offense appeared to produce enough to secure at least two wins, it was the pitching staff — previously a reliable unit — that ultimately faltered.

The Yankees’ pitching staff allowed a total of 27 runs over the three-game series, making it difficult to secure wins under those circumstances. Of those 27 runs, 10 were surrendered by the bullpen, highlighting a significant concern. Additionally, the bullpen allowed four inherited runners to score, several of which proved to be critical in the outcomes of the games.

On both Saturday and Sunday night, the Yankees generated offense in late and close situations; however, the bullpen consistently allowed the games to slip out of reach, preventing any realistic chance of a comeback — even with Aaron Judge’s ninth-inning heroics on Sunday.

Brent Headrick and Ian Hamilton both struggled significantly over the weekend. Fortunately, each has minor league options remaining and can be sent down if necessary. The Yankees have potential reinforcements in Triple-A, including Scott Effross and Clayton Beeter, who could be called up and may provide more effective relief than Headrick or Hamilton.

Image of the Yankees Bullpen budget leaving the weekend. Image Credit: RotoWire

The Yankees urgently need to make a move to reinforce the back end of their bullpen. While it was widely anticipated that the loss of Luke Weaver would be significant, the current bullpen configuration has proven to be highly ineffective.

Jonathan Loáisiga has performed well since returning; however, the Yankees have extended him for multiple innings on two occasions, and both times the decision backfired.

Devin Williams is currently the least concerning aspect of the bullpen; however, as a one-inning reliever reserved for ninth-inning situations, his usage leaves the remainder of the bullpen effectively one arm short in covering the rest of the game.

When Luke Weaver was active, the Yankees could rely on him for multiple innings without concern about his effectiveness, as he was originally intended to serve as a multi-inning reliever. With his absence, the team currently lacks a dependable option capable of providing consistent multi-inning relief.

Heading into Boston on Friday, it would be prudent for the Yankees to option Will Warren following his Thursday start and call up Allen Winans, who is currently posting a 0.25 ERA with Triple-A Scranton. This move would allow Winans to start on Friday while shifting Ryan Yarbrough — who struggled against Boston on Saturday — into a long relief role in the bullpen.