NEW YORK — Cam Schlittler stood in front of the cameras inside the New York Yankees’ clubhouse with the team’s WWE-style Player of the Game belt over his right shoulder. As he answered questions, Gerrit Cole began to pour champagne on his head.
As far as symbolism goes, it doesn’t get much better than that. Consider it the rookie’s coronation moment marking his entrance into the record books of the storied franchise.
Schlittler twirled a gem for the ages on Thursday at Yankee Stadium, leading New York to a 4-0 win over the Boston Red Sox in the do-or-die third game of the American League Wild Card Series.
“Cam’s one of one,” said Yankees captain Aaron Judge. “He’s something special.”
The Yankees became the first team since the current playoff format began in 2022 to win a wild card round after losing Game 1. Up next is a date with the Toronto Blue Jays in the division series that begins Saturday at Rogers Centre. (Sportsnet, 4:08 p.m. ET / 1:08 p.m. PT).
The Blue Jays and Yankees finished with identical 94-68 records during the regular season, however Toronto won the season series, 8-5, and thus captured the AL East title while the Yankees were forced to play in the risky wild card series.
They were shut down by Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet in Game 1 but narrowly defeated Boston in the second game, setting up Thursday’s matchup of rookie starting pitchers as Schlittler took on Boston left-hander Connelly Early.
“Honestly, going into the night for me personally, it felt like as pressure-packed a game as I have ever been in, as a player or manager,” said Yankees skipper Aaron Boone. “Just because the context in my brain of what I think our team is.”
Schlittler quickly eased those nerves for everybody in the building.
The right-hander came out of the gate in his post-season debut throwing gas, with six pitches at or above 100 m.p.h. in the first inning. He was dominant from the outset and didn’t give the Red Sox a chance to breathe.
“We needed to be perfect tonight, because he was perfect,” said Boston manager Alex Cora. “The stuff is outstanding. He was under control. That was electric.”
Schlittler, who’s from Walpole, Massachusetts and grew up a Red Sox fan, allowed just five hits over eight scoreless innings, striking out 12 on 107 pitches (75 strikes). He became the first pitcher in MLB history to toss at least eight scoreless innings and record at least 12 strikeouts without allowing a walk in any post-season game.
Additionally, his 12 punchouts were the most by a Yankees rookie in any playoff contest.
Those around the organization rave about the 24-year-old Schlittler’s demeanour and he said after the game that he spoke to Yankees legend Andy Pettitte about his confidence going into the winner-take-all matchup.
“I got really good sleep last night. I wasn’t too worried about it,” Schlittler said. “I woke up and I was locked in. I knew exactly what I needed to do out there, especially against my hometown team. As I told Andy yesterday, I wasn’t going to let them beat me. I was just overconfident in that fact.”
Boston’s starter Early was cruising until he unravelled in the fourth inning. Cody Bellinger led off the frame by lifting a Bermuda Triangle pop-up to centre field that fell in between three fielders and resulted in a double. Giancarlo Stanton walked and then Yankees kept the train moving with three singles before Austin Wells grounded a ball that first baseman Nathaniel Lowe booted, resulting in two runs that pushed the score to 4-0.
That was more than enough support for Schlittler.
“It didn’t matter if guys got on base, if Yankee Stadium was rocking or not rocking,” said Judge. “He was locked in on his plan and what he needed to do and he went out there and executed. It was impressive to see at such a young age. I’ve seen a lot of guys come up here — even veteran guys that we trade for — and the moment be too big. But he’s a guy who stays neutral the whole time.”
Judge, soaking wet and carrying a bottle of champagne in his hand, talked about savouring the victory over a Red Sox club that had eliminated the Yankees during their last two post-season meetings. The celebration wouldn’t last long, though, with the Yankees set to head out on a flight to Toronto.
“They’re a complete team,” said Judge of the Blue Jays. “They don’t strike out a lot. They’re gonna put the ball in play. They force your hand on defence. But we’re looking forward to that. Toronto is going to be rocking. We love that. The Bronx is rocking, so it’s gonna be fun.”
As the regular drew to a close it felt like the Yankees and Blue Jays were on a collision course. Toronto secured the AL East crown with a victory on the final day of the regular season and now the rivals will face off in what should be a compelling best-of-five series. It will mark the first time the clubs have ever met in the post-season.
The Yankees took two of three from the Blue Jays in the Bronx last month, yet their meeting in Toronto back in July perhaps stands out the most. New York made all kinds of mistakes in the four-game series en route to being swept.
“It’s a new series. It’s zero-zero,” said Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. “I feel like we’re just a little bit more aware of our mistakes that we made in the past and we’re prepared not to make mistakes again.”
Added Stanton: “We’re going to see on Saturday. It’s about making the least amount of mistakes and just play good baseball and we’ll be alright.”
Schlittler likely won’t be a factor until later in the ALDS. Right now, he’s still basking in the present. The right-hander said he “blacked out” after the game as the gravity of his performance began to sink in.
“It’s an epic environment, really,” said Schlittler. “Once-in-a lifetime opportunity, so I’m going to make sure I take it all in. Definitely a dream to play Boston in the playoffs and end their season.”
