Cam Schlittler delivered a strong performance for the New York Yankees in his postseason debut against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night. He pitched eight scoreless innings, striking out 12 batters without issuing a walk, and helped New York advance to the American League Division Series.
Schlittler’s outing set a postseason record as he became the first pitcher to throw at least eight scoreless innings with 12 or more strikeouts and no walks in a playoff game. His 12 strikeouts also marked a new Yankees record for a rookie making his playoff debut.
This Wild Card Series victory was particularly significant as it came against the Red Sox, one of the Yankees’ main rivals. Schlittler, who grew up in the Boston area, was making his first Major League start against Boston. However, this was not his first time facing them; as a freshman at Northeastern University, he pitched a scoreless inning against the Red Sox during their 2020 Spring Training opener at JetBlue Park.
Before Game 3 of the series, Schlittler received negative comments online from some Red Sox fans. He addressed these after the Yankees’ 4-0 win: “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.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone commented on how Schlittler handled both pressure and social media criticism: “Cam’s a tough kid, and I know he’s going to handle any slings and arrows,” Boone said Friday. “Social media can be an ugly place sometimes, unfortunately. We try to prepare our guys and obviously support our guys in so many different ways.
“But Cam is broad-shouldered, confident, clear-eyed, and I don’t think [he’s] going to be affected by much.”
Schlittler’s early career has now included notable moments both as a college player facing Major League hitters and as an MLB rookie pitching in an elimination game.
