Yankees Seek Clarity in Bullpen Ahead of Blue Jays Doubleheader
After a blown save and mounting struggles from reliever Devin Williams, the New York Yankees face a key question in their bullpen as they host the Toronto Blue Jays for a Sunday doubleheader in the Bronx.
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Uncertainty in the Ninth
The Yankees entered the season expecting Devin Williams to lock down the closer role following his acquisition from Milwaukee. But with an 11.25 ERA and his latest collapse in Friday’s 4-2 loss—where he allowed three runs without recording an out—manager Aaron Boone admitted postgame that a role change may be imminent. Williams has also shown command issues, often falling behind in counts and failing to finish hitters.
New York could turn to Luke Weaver, who served as closer down the stretch in 2024 and hasn’t allowed a run yet this season. Boone confirmed the team will “talk through” the situation before committing to a new ninth-inning plan.
Blue Jays Snap Skid
The Blue Jays ended a five-game losing streak Friday with help from Alejandro Kirk’s two-run double and a solo homer from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Kirk’s clutch hit in the ninth was Toronto’s first win since being swept in Houston.
Toronto’s offense had been quiet but capitalized on Williams’ control issues to snatch a comeback win. They’ll aim to build on that momentum in Sunday’s twin bill, trying to improve a road record that remains underwhelming in 2025.
Doubleheader Matchups
In Game 1, New York turns to lefty Max Fried (4-0, 1.42 ERA), who is in dominant form, allowing just one earned run over his last 27 innings. Toronto counters with right-hander Kevin Gausman (2-2, 3.16 ERA), who is coming off a tough outing in Houston.
The second game will feature Clarke Schmidt (0-1, 7.45 ERA) for the Yankees and Chris Bassitt (2-1, 1.88 ERA) for the Blue Jays. Bassitt has had consistent success against New York, owning a 0.82 ERA in five career starts against them.
Key Players and Trends
Despite their bullpen woes, the Yankees lead MLB with 41 home runs this season, while the Blue Jays are still trying to find consistent power with just 14 long balls to date. New York holds a slim edge in the AL East, but the division remains tightly contested.
Aaron Judge, Anthony Volpe, and Ben Rice have provided steady offense, while Toronto looks to spark stars like Bo Bichette and George Springer, both of whom are off to slow starts.
Outlook and Betting Angle
With questions surrounding the Yankees’ closer situation and Toronto’s inconsistency on the road, Sunday’s games provide intrigue not just for fans, but for bettors looking at late-game volatility. In this matchup of AL East rivals, bullpen depth and clutch hitting could swing the outcome.
MLB Betting Picks indicate this series could provide value for totals bettors, especially given recent high-leverage bullpen concerns.