In Saturday’s game at Yankee Stadium, Devin Williams found himself in a high-pressure situation in the ninth inning, facing runners on second and third. Though the Yankees were leading 8-4 and the win was not in jeopardy, the crowd’s unease was clear. Williams, recently traded from the Brewers and considered one of the best closers in the National League, hadn’t yet impressed in his new pinstripes. In fact, his first four appearances for the Yankees had been underwhelming.
Early in the inning, Williams allowed the first two Giants batters to reach base. Taking a moment to refocus, Williams—who admitted he often talks to himself on the mound—found his rhythm. He quickly retired the next three batters, including two by strikeout, to shut down the Giants’ rally and seal the Yankees’ win. More importantly, the performance helped calm concerns among fans about whether he could handle the Bronx spotlight.
Williams acknowledged he hadn’t met his own expectations so far and knew that his success in Milwaukee meant little in New York. His strikeout-heavy finish showed flashes of the elite closer the Yankees were expecting—a pitcher who dominated with his signature “Airbender” changeup that baffled National League hitters for years.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed optimism, hoping this strong outing could build momentum for Williams. With the closer position settling down, the team can now focus on other issues—most notably, a struggling starting rotation. Saturday brought a glimpse of hope in that area as rookie Will Warren delivered a solid five-inning performance, giving up just two runs and earning his first major league win.
Meanwhile, Marcus Stroman landed on the Injured List with a vague knee issue after a disastrous start the day before. With Stroman out, Clarke Schmidt, now fully recovered from a rotator cuff injury, is set to rejoin the rotation mid-week.
Another bright spot was Ben Rice, who has bulked up and now leads the American League in exit velocity. He played a pivotal role in the game’s momentum swing, sparking a five-run rally and hitting a solo homer. His turnaround at the plate—from last year’s struggles to a current .310 average—has made up for Giancarlo Stanton’s absence.
Overall, Saturday’s game marked a promising shift for the Yankees, with improvements showing across the roster.
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