Cam Schlittler, a rookie pitcher for the New York Yankees, delivered a standout performance in Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees secured a 4-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox, advancing to face the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Division Series.
Schlittler, who is from Walpole, Massachusetts, said that online comments from Red Sox fans gave him added motivation. “People from Boston had a lot to say before the game,” Schlittler said. “For me, just being a silent killer, being able to go out there and shut them down. … I’m from Boston. I didn’t like some of the things they were saying today. I was just making sure I was going out there and extra locked in.”
He chose not to share details about what was said but clarified it came from fans rather than players. “There’s a line I think they crossed a little bit,” Schlittler said. “I’m a competitor. I’m going to go out there and make sure I shut them down. You know Boston fans. It’s just how it is. We’re aggressive back home and we’re gonna try and get under peoples’ skin. They just picked the wrong guy to do it to – and the wrong team to do it to as well.”
During his eight innings on the mound, Schlittler struck out 12 batters without issuing any walks or allowing any runs—setting both postseason and franchise records for a Yankees pitcher making his playoff debut.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora commented on Schlittler’s outing: “We needed to be perfect tonight, because he was perfect. The stuff is outstanding. He was under control. That was electric.”
After leaving the field in the seventh inning to applause from fans, Yankees manager Aaron Boone decided to let Schlittler pitch one more inning: “I didn’t even want to talk to him much,” Boone said. “I kind of stood on the steps and just gave him my, ‘Are you good?’ And he was.”
Schlittler completed his night with three more outs in the eighth inning.
The rookie did not make his Major League debut until July 9 but has quickly become an important part of the Yankees’ rotation after posting a 2.96 ERA across 73 innings since joining midseason.
Yankees ace Gerrit Cole praised Schlittler after the game: “It’s super impressive,” Cole said. “There are different paths to greatness up here, but this guy has come up and delivered right away. He’s got it. I don’t know exactly what it is, it’s hard to define it. But he’s got it. … He’s got an idea of what he wants to do.”
The Yankees will play their next game against Toronto at Rogers Centre starting Saturday.
