Caballero's aggressive baserunning adds volatility to Yankees' late-season push
Boone cites risk-reward of the running game as Yankees bolster bullpen ahead of October
BALTIMORE — Jose Caballero's aggressive baserunning again carried risk for the Yankees in a 7-0 win over the Orioles at Camden Yards. Caballero was picked off for the second time in four games, this time at first base by left-hander Cade Povich in the second inning after getting a sizable lead. The infielder started at third base and continues to lead the majors with 48 steals.
Manager Aaron Boone described Caballero as someone who could “wreak havoc” on the bases, but also “make you hold your breath sometimes.” He acknowledged that the run-heavy approach comes with outs. “You got to live with some of it,” Boone said. “When you're running a lot and you're stealing a lot of bases, there’s some risk that goes with that, so there’s going to be some outs along the way. You try to do your homework and prepare as best you can to limit those things. As much as we’re pushing the envelope in the running game, those things are going to happen from time to time.”
Paul Blackburn threw two hitless frames to close out the win. Devin Williams has had other encouraging stretches earlier this season, only for a few brutal outings to wreck his momentum. But the reliever is in the middle of another strong run, this one at a critical time as the Yankees try to get the back end of their bullpen on track heading into October. “He’s pitching with a lot of confidence,” Boone said. “I feel like his mix, he’s unpredictable right now. A two-pitch guy, but the fastball’s been good. I feel like there’s real life to it, so it’s keeping you off the changeup enough. I feel like he’s pitching with a lot of confidence with the changeup, too.”
Jazz Chisholm Jr. was also caught stealing after doubling in the sixth inning — his 200th career extra-base hit — with righty reliever Yennier Cano stepping off the mound as Chisholm broke for third and nabbed him there.
The Orioles entered Thursday having won 12 of their prior 17 games despite spending most of the season in last place of the AL East. “I don’t see them that way [last place],” Boone said. “It’s a team that’s played pretty well for a few months, probably more in line with who everyone expected them to be at the start of the year and over the last month, they’ve gotten healthier in the starting rotation, so their starting pitching’s been good. We know it’s a good team, we know it’s a formidable team and not anywhere close to a last place-caliber team.”
The Yankees entered a critical stretch as October approaches, with the bullpen’s performance feeding into broader questions about the bullpen’s late-season readiness. Boone and the coaching staff have emphasized the need to balance the thrill of aggressive baserunning with the discipline required in high-leverage moments, especially against improved competition in the division and in the wild-card chase.
Overall, the win underscored a recurring theme for New York this season: Caballero’s speed creates pressure on opposing defenses and often translates into scoring opportunities, but it also exposes gaps in execution when reads or leads are mishandled. Boone has repeatedly framed the running game as a deliberate risk-reward proposition, one that can tilt games when executed cleanly but can backfire when a momentary misread or misstep occurs.
On the mound, Blackburn’s effectiveness in the late innings provided a stabilizing counterpoint to the risks in the running game. The veteran right-hander attacked Orioles hitters with a steady mix, complementing the Yankees’ quicker-strike options in the bullpen. The overall dynamic is one of a team trying to finalize its postseason blueprint while navigating the ebbs and flows of a tight pennant race.
For the Orioles, the performance illustrated a team that has shown resilience and improvement in a season that has included fixtures at the lower end of the standings. With a healthier rotation and a string of competitive results, Baltimore remains dangerous, even if the standings at times have suggested otherwise. As the schedule tightens, both teams will rely on their depth and decision-making in baserunning, bullpen deployment, and situational hitting to determine whether they can sustain momentum into October.