After Minnesota Collapse, Do the Yankees Still Trust Luke Weaver for October? "The Pressure Is On"

In the wake of the Minnesota collapse, questions are now swirling around Luke Weaver’s role in the New York Yankees’ October plans. After a disastrous outing that saw Weaver struggle under pressure, many are now wondering if the Yankees can still rely on the right-hander when the postseason arrives.

Weaver, who had shown flashes of promise earlier in the season, faltered at a crucial time, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning whether he’s ready for the big stage. His inability to perform in a high-stakes game against a rival like Minnesota has raised doubts about his ability to handle the intense pressure of playoff baseball.

“After what we saw, it’s hard to know if we can trust him in October,” one Yankees insider remarked. “The stakes are only going to get higher, and right now, Weaver’s performance is giving us pause. Can he step up when it matters most, or is he just another liability?”

Despite the concerns, Yankees manager Aaron Boone remains committed to Weaver, calling his potential “undeniable.” "We believe in Luke. He’s had some great moments, and we’re confident he can get back on track,” Boone said. "But it’s clear that the pressure is on, and he needs to find consistency fast if he’s going to be part of our playoff rotation."

As the clock ticks down to October, the Yankees will have to make some tough decisions about their pitching staff. With several options in the bullpen and rotation, can Weaver regain the trust of the team in time for the postseason? Fans will be holding their breath as the Yankees’ playoff dreams hang in the balance.

The Boston Bruins face an interesting decision regarding veteran defenseman Andrew Peeke this season. The 27-year-old will be entering the final year of his current three-year, $8.25 million contract signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023.

Peeke joined the Bruins at the 2024 deadline. Since then, he’s been a steady hand for the club, particularly with injuries decimating the blue line last season. In particular, Peeke emerged as a reliable backend presence after Charlie McAvoy went down following the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Bruins interim coach Joe Sacco entrusted the veteran blueliner with increased playing time. Peeke rewarded the club’s faith in him with solid, if unspectacular, play.

But now, Peeke is staring at UFA status next summer. That situation means the Bruins will need to decide what to do about Peeke. If they keep him, they’ll be looking to extend him sooner rather than later.

But if they choose to move on, he could be on the trade block this season. According to insider David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, the Bruins will be taking their time with Peeke. The club is keen on extending him, but would rather wait and see what the season holds.

That comment could mean that the Bruins want to be certain about what they have in Peeke before committing to him. Otherwise, he could be an interesting trade chip, especially if the Bruins fall behind in the playoff race early in the season.

Bruins Have Defense Options in the Pipeline

The Bruins could opt to go with younger blueliners moving forward. The club has options in the pipeline who could get a look at some point this season. The most immediate name that could make noise this season is Jordan Harris.

The 25-year-old Harris is in the final year of his current deal at $825K. He’s a left-shot D, while Peeke is a right-shot. So that’s something the Bruins could take into consideration. But then again, Frederic Brunet, Jackson Edward, and Max Wanner could all get a shot at making the team this season.

If that’s the case, the emergence of any one of these defensemen could make Peeke expendable. But that situation hinges on one crucial element. The Bruins are not a rebuilding team. While they may be going through a transition, they’re not stripping down the roster.

Boston will be looking to contend this season. They hope that a light reset and coaching change will be enough to spur a turnaround. Then again, if a young blueliner is ready to make the jump, it could mean the club could flip Peeke.

Keeping Peeke Could Be about Depth

There’s one other important element to keep in mind. Holding onto Andrew Peeke is also about depth. Last season’s rash of injuries on the blue line highlighted the importance of depth. That’s why it would seem like a savvy move to retain Peeke in the fold.

While the Bruins don’t want to see anyone go down this season, injuries are inevitable. Hampus Lindholm’s season was derailed early. Then, the loss of McAvoy really put the club in a bad spot.

So, keeping Peeke could be a crucial step in ensuring Boston keeps its depth in check, just in case injuries play a factor again this season.

After Minnesota Collapse, Do the Yankees Still Trust Luke Weaver for October? "The Pressure Is On"

Bruins Taking Time to Extend Veteran D-Man

Bruins Have Defense Options in the Pipeline

Keeping Peeke Could Be about Depth