Earlier this week on Christmas Day, we talked about the biggest gifts the Yankees received in the 2024 season. I.e.
, we were talking about mistake plays made by opponents that caused the biggest positive swings in Win Probability in the Yankees’ favor. That being said, gift giving around the holidays is usually a two-way street. Christmas is also a time of giving, so in that spirit, here are the biggest gifts the Yankees gave away in the 2024 season.
Note: As alluded to, we’re strictly going off the Win Probably Added — or in this case lost — on the particular plays. That’s why a couple certain miscues in World Series Game 5 didn’t make the list. Now, let’s begin, speaking of .
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World Series Game 5 - Walk: -0.161 WPA There are some more famous and more visually appalling moments from the Yankees’ meltdown in Game 5 of the World Series. Not to dig at closing wounds, but Aaron Judge dropping the fly ball and the Gerrit Cole not covering first base debacle all felt worse, but according to WPA, an eighth inning walk hurt the Yankees more than those plays.
After the Yankees’ fifth inning meltdown had allowed the Dodgers to tie the game, the Yankees had retaken the lead, and still held a 6-5 edge going into the eighth. Tommy Kahnle was brought into pitch that frame, but he quickly allowed two singles. He then proceeded to walk Will Smith on four pitches to load the bases.
That forced the Yankees into brining in Luke Weaver, who didn’t allow a hit, but did g.
