On nights like this, Yankees fans are reminded how spoiled they were when Mariano Rivera was their October closer. He pitched 141 innings, in 96 games, in 32 series, across 16 post-seasons, while giving up only 11 earned runs. His final post-season ERA was 0.70.
The only person to be voted unanimously to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Rivera gave up only two home runs in his entire post-season career. Let that sink in and then let’s think back to what happened in Thursday’s 7-5 Game 3 win for Cleveland over the Yankees.
The Guardians Emmanuel Clase was MLB’s top closer this year with a 4.5 WAR fueled by 47 saves and a 0.61 ERA. For comparison purposes, Rivera only topped a 4.5 WAR once (in 1996 when he was setting up John Wetteland), only topped 47 saves twice and never had a regular season ERA lower than 1.38.
All of which gave Guardians Manager Stephen Vogt great confidence when he brought Clase into Thursday’s game leading 3-1, with 2 outs in the 8th and Juan Soto on first base. Clase proceeded to give up back-to-back home runs to Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. After a historic regular season, Clase has now given up 3 home runs in only 6 post-season innings.
By the time Clase left the game, the Yankees led 4-3 and then 5-3, seemingly on their way to take a commanding 3 games to 0 lead in the ALCS. Unfortunately for the Yankees and their fans, Rivera is currently 54 years old and enjoying a retirement rich in philanthropy.
The Yankees went with Luke Weaver, the quirky journeyman starter turned closer, who nailed down his first 4 save opportunities in these playoffs. Weaver was one out away before Jhonkensy Noel tied the game with a two-run homer sending the game into extra innings. What followed in the tenth inning was a gut-punch, two-out, two-run home by Guardians DH David Fry off the Yankees former closer Clay Holmes.
In summary, Rivera gave up 2 homers in 16 post-seasons, across 32 series in 96 games, while pitching 141 innings. In tonight’s 8th, 9th and 10th inning, we saw MLB’s top 2024 closer give up 2 homers, the Yankees Cinderella-story current closer give up one, and the Yankees former all-star closer give up another.
Two things are clear. This series is not over, and there will never be another Mo.
