​The New York Yankees bullpen has long faced trust issues with fans, but Paul Blackburn isn’t to blame. At 32, Blackburn is a veteran presence in The Show, having worn the uniforms of the Athletics, Mets, and now the Yankees. Over a 14-year career, he’s earned an All-Star nod (2022) and is delivering performances that echo that promise again. The last time he pitched this well was with the then-Oakland A’s in 2022, when he was primarily a starter and a dependable one at that. In recent seasons he shifted to a bullpen role, and this year everything seems to be clicking. Blackburn owns a 2.22 ERA over 48.2 innings, with two starts and one save, and his ERA+ sits at an impressive 193. He’s arguably the Yankees’ most reliable arm this season, not only for elite production but also for his versatility. He can cover multiple innings at a high level, a quality that has become increasingly valuable in a bullpen that needs dependable bridges and late-inning flexibility.
Fans are starting to take notice of his breakout season. FiresideYankees highlighted Blackburn’s recent run, noting a 1.16 ERA and a 3.26 FIP in his last 20 appearances for the Yankees, a stark improvement from 2025. They also pointed to velocity rising from 92.6 mph to 94.2 mph, a ground-ball rate increasing from 43.8% to 56.8%, and an ERA that has tumbled from 6.23 to 2.22. Joe Randazzo weighed in, suggesting Blackburn is pitching like the type of reliever the Yankees should target at the trade deadline, emphasizing the difficulty of recording two-out saves against a potent offense in today’s game. He noted Blackburn has allowed 13 runs in 48.2 innings this season and admitted he didn’t expect this kind of production, even admitting some initial skepticism about Blackburn’s fit amid a bullpen that already features long relievers and Ryan Yarbrough.
Eric Hubbs’s bullpen hierarchy echoed a mix of praise and caution: a trust tree that loves Bednar, Fernando Cruz, and Brent Headrick, with interest in seeing more of Yovanny Cruz and Angel Chivilli; a neutral stance on Blackburn; mild suspicion; and a clear wish to keep Ryan Yarbrough out of postseason plans, along with a desire to part ways with Jake Bird and Camilo Doval if possible. Greg Joyce even floated the notion of Blackburn potentially handling a six-out save, underscoring the growing belief in his late-inning viability. Brayan Hoch noted a moment when Carlos Rodon threw 37 pitches in the fourth inning and was at 87 pitches, with Blackburn warming up in anticipation of Rodon’s exit, signaling the team’s trust in Blackburn in high-leverage spots. Talkin’ Yanks captured the atmosphere as well, recounting a moment when Max Fried exited after the third inning, prompting Matt Blake to call Blackburn in for warmups—an illustration of the Yankees’ willingness to lean on him in critical moments.
Currently, the Yankees sit three games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East as they head into the All-Star break. When action resumes, New York will host a massive series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team that has stood among MLB’s elite for years and arrives fresh off consecutive World Series titles. Facing the Dodgers will be a true measuring stick for the Yankees, testing Blackburn’s growing role and the broader bullpen’s ability to handle a powerhouse lineup in the heat of a pennant race. The Dodgers’ arrival represents a pivotal opportunity for the Yankees to demonstrate that their bullpen, led by Blackburn’s emergent excellence, can sustain success against MLB’s best and set the tone for a postseason push. The combination of Blackburn’s efficiency, flexibility, and repeated late-inning competence provides a compelling storyline for fans hoping this season’s bullpen volatility finally yields reliable results.