Keith: Yankees have big bullpen problem in Clay Holmes and his untimely walks

As the Yankees get set to resume their season on Friday night, Keith says there is a potential major problem at the back of the bullpen.

Sure, the defense did Clay Holmes no favors in Sunday’s disastrous ninth-inning collapse, but Keith says the Yankee closer surrendering two free passes in the inning did the team no favors, and Holmes allows far too much traffic on the bases.

“Clay is wild. He’s out of control,” Keith said. “He doesn’t know where the ball is going.

“This guy has it right in front of him. Just go out there and throw strikes, done. The stakes got higher. The lights got brighter, and he absolutely folded.”

Holmes has blown six saves so far this season, most in the American League, but earned an All-Star selection thanks to a 2.77 ERA and 21 saves. His 2.3 BB/9 is actually a full walk per nine lower than what it was last season, but Keith says the walks come at inopportune times, and it can cost the Yankees in big spots down the stretch.

“You can’t walk two guys,” Keith said. “I don’t care who you are coming out of the bullpen…you can’t walk batters. You can’t do that with a struggling Orioles team. They were about to lose six in a row. They were fighting for their lives.”

Still, Keith wonders if Sunday’s blown game could actually help the team in the long run, as a sweep and a move back into first place could have led the front office to ease up on the potential mindset that big changes are needed, including in the bullpen.

“I think it’s a blessing in disguise,” Keith said. “It’s another reminder that you’re not that good.”