Final Fernando Cruz outing vs. Dodgers had frightening Yankees World Series parallels

How much of Fernando Cruz's failings on Sunday night against the Dodgers do we ascribe to "one bad pitch," and how much do we ascribe to gimmickry? The Yankees' late-and-close victory on in the finale vs. LA will obscure some of the bad feelings Cruz created, but in the moment, I couldn't help but shiver watching him, recalling another similar outing (and downfall).

Cruz not only surrendered an immediate home run on a splitter to Tommy Edman, but lost the plate in the aftermath, afraid to come back with his trademark pitch, and walking two more batters uncompetitively before exiting. The outing stood in stark contrast to his appearance on Friday night, where he breathed fire after a more typical escape, getting Freddie Freeman out ahead of a splitter on a fly ball to end it.

The Edman homer was the first time all season that an opposing batter has ambushed him and left the yard to begin an inning this season, and while the pitch certainly hung in Edman's happy zone, it's safe to say he wasn't thrown off whatsoever by its break, which has largely confounded the rest of the league.

After seeing Cruz for 23 pitches on Friday night, including an Edman leadoff double, the Dodgers seemed acclimated to his signature move. It felt oddly similar to the final game of the 2024 World Series, when Tommy Kahnle was called in to keep the game tied and spammed his changeup over and over again. The Dodgers weren't just "not fooled"; they were thrilled. Cruz was similarly off his game on Sunday when his primary weapon was neutered by a lineup that evolves better than any other in the current game.

Fernando Cruz meltdowns developing into a worrisome Yankees issue

Cruz has been spectacular for most of this season, especially as a fireman. It goes against logic and reason. If the world knows a splitter is coming with runners on in high-leverage scenarios, why do they succumb to it anyway? Why are the Dodgers the only team that can seemingly sniff out what the audience knows is en route?

Perhaps it's a skill issue for the rest of the league. Or maybe it's volatility under duress.

Twice in the past three weeks, the normally reliable Cruz has entered a must-win game late. These aren't just normal tight ones. These are essentials: Sunday night against Boston in extras with a two-run lead, inches away from thievery, and last night against the Dodgers, barely hanging onto a one-run advantage it felt like they couldn't afford to squander.

Both times, Cruz not only lost the lead, but he lost the plot entirely, rendered completely ineffective and feasted upon. The next time he sees Boston, especially, he's going to have to think twice about new and inventive ways to deploy his singular game-changing pitch, which may already be infected in such matchups. The Yankees parted ways with Kahnle shortly after his Game 5 tattooing where the Dodgers knew what was coming at every turn. They don't have the same luxury with Cruz in this undermanned bullpen, and must either adjust his role or hope the Dodgers and Red Sox haven't produced a trend as he tires in the second half.

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