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New York Yankees Editorial: Is Andrew Miller on a Decline?

By Michael Cambria |

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that New York Yankees closer Andrew Miller has struggled since returning from the disabled list after suffering a strained left flexor muscle. As a matter of fact, since his July 8th return, Miller’s ERA has spiked from a 1.65 to a 2.20. He even recorded a loss against Texas (7/30) and his first blown save of the season (8/11) against the Cleveland Indians. After posting a 4.15 ERA in July and a 4.50 ERA to date in August, the question now becomes is Andrew Miller on the decline?

When asked of his recent struggles, Andrew Miller responded;

“I am certainly having some tough innings lately,’’ Miller told George King III of the New York Post “All of it is not explainable.’’

To go a little more in-depth, in 26 appearances before going on the DL on June 11, Miller had allowed eight hits in 27 innings while walking 10 and striking out 43. He also held batters to just one hit in 18 at-bats with runners in scoring position.

Fast forward to today, after 15 appearances since coming back on July 8, Miller has given up 13 hits in 14.2 innings while walking four and striking out 15. However, he’s struggled in clutch situations, as opposing batters are now hitting .250 (3-for-12) with runners in scoring position. His aforementioned blown save occurred last Tuesday, when he surrendered a two-run lead in the 10th inning at Cleveland in what eventually led to a 5-4 loss in 16 innings during a pivotal stretch in which the Toronto Blue Jays leap-frogged the Yankees for first place in the A.L. East.

“It’s going to happen,’’ Miller said. “If you expect otherwise you are naïve.’’

Since allowing his first blown save, Andrew Miller has regrouped and earned two consecutive saves, one in which he had to throw 28 pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays on August 14th.

In 41 appearances to date, Miller is 0-2 with 26-saves-in-27-save opportunities with a 2.20 ERA. He has recorded 61 strikeouts and 14 walks in 41 innings pitched.

Every single game the Yankees will play for the remainder of the season are significantly meaningful, and Miller will likely see a ton of action as the Yankees will need every win they can get to stay atop the division as they try and snap a three-year skid of no playoffs in the Bronx.

Hopefully Andrew Miller can shake off this string of bad outings and get back to his original form as we near the dog days of summer.

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