The Yankees Rookie Who Could Be the Spark to Save Their Season

Cam Schlittler wasn’t supposed to be the story of October. He is a seventh-round pick out of Northeastern who was not overly-touted in the New York Yankees farm system. 

However, in just his 15th major-league start, Schlittler silenced the Boston Red Sox last week with eight scoreless innings and 12 strikeouts, the most ever in a winner-take-all postseason game. 

As Jorge Castillo noted in his ESPN article, the performance wasn’t just dominant, it was historic.

Schlittler became the first pitcher ever to record at least eight shutout innings, 12 strikeouts, and zero walks in a postseason elimination game. His 100-mph fastball was untouchable all night, keeping the Yankees’ playoff hopes alive when they needed it most. 

Now, six days later, the 24-year-old rookie is pitching to save the Yankees season once again. 

After storming back from a 6-1 deficit last night, the Yankees are still alive. They’ll look to carry that momentum into Game 4, and who better to have on the mound than Cam Schlittler, the rookie who’s already proven he can deliver when everything’s on the line. 

“I have confidence in myself,” Schlittler said. “I have confidence in this team.”

The same confidence that carried him through eight scoreless innings against Boston and could now help the Yankees turn the series around. 

“It doesn’t matter who’s in the other dugout,” he added. “If we play our game, we can beat anybody.”

With the season on the line again, Schlittler’s fearlessness might be exactly what the Yankees need to keep their October dreams alive.

Schlittler’s Journey to the MLB

Cam Schlittler’s road to the majors wasn’t easy. The Massachusetts native and former Northeastern standout wasn’t a top prospect or a first-round pick. 

“He was a late bloomer, but he was dominant,” said Chris Costello, his high school coach. “The common theme was always upside. Most guys don’t reach it. He’s reached it at every level.” 

That upside showed this summer. After years of steady progress, Schlittler’s fastball jumped from the mid-90s to touching 100 mph, forcing the Yankees to take notice. 

“It comes down to the hard work I put in during the offseason,” Schlittler said. “To still feel this good at the end of the season is a blessing.”

Schlittler will lean on that same offseason hard work and confidence as he takes the mound tonight, looking for one more great start to keep the Yankees’ season alive. 

ALDS Outlook 

After the top half of the third inning last night, the Yankees looked dead in the water. Carlos Rodon had imploded and the boo birds were out as the Yankees looked like they were on the brink of elimination as they trailed 6-1. 

Then, Aaron Judge finally had his signature moment, hitting a three run home run to tie the game.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed with a solo shot to give New York the lead, and the Yankees’ bullpen did the rest. 

After a rough first two games of the series in which the Yankees were outscored 23-8, you can slowly start to feel the momentum switching to New York’s side. 

Schlittler will look to carry that momentum into his start tonight. 

If the Yankees win tonight, they’ll force a winner-take-all Game 5 on Friday night in Toronto. 

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