BALTIMORE — Cam Schlittler delivered his sharpest outing yet on Sunday, putting himself firmly in the conversation for a postseason rotation spot. The 24-year-old right-hander worked 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball, making a strong case against fellow rookie Luis Gil as the Yankees weigh options for their playoff staff.
Cam Schlittler struck out six, allowing just three hits and one walk, in New York’s 7-1, 10-inning victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards. More importantly, he showed the kind of fastball command and strike-throwing ability that could tip the scales as the Yankees decide who will slot in behind Max Fried and Carlos Rodón in October.
“Man, I liked 100 miles an hour, I liked ahead in the count a lot,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I thought his stuff was again really good. Couple times he got to 3-2, seems like he won those counts where they fouled off some pitches against him. He hung around in the strike zone. If he lives in the strike zone, he’s capable of being real successful.”
Schlittler’s high-octane fastball dominates
Schlittler’s fastball lived between 98 and 99 mph all afternoon and touched 100.3 mph at its peak. He wasted no time establishing dominance, striking out the side in the first inning on just 15 pitches, each one clocking in at 98 or 99 mph.
That set the tone. All six of his strikeouts came on fastballs, each registering 98 or 99 mph, and most located up in the zone or just above it. The Orioles’ hitters struggled to catch up to his power arsenal.
“The fastball up is something that plays well,” Schlittler said. “I was able to get the sinker down, played with the curveball and fastball up off that. So I was able to get really good results.”
His lone mistake came in the fifth inning when Samuel Basallo jumped on a first-pitch curveball and sent it over the wall for a solo home run. Schlittler walked the next batter but quickly steadied himself, showing the poise that has impressed the coaching staff.
“Trying to work on the fastball command, trying to refine the secondary,” Schlittler said. “Little slipup in the fifth there with command, but overall, definitely a lot better than last week.”
Critical bounce-back from rough outing
The outing carried extra weight given what happened in Minnesota just five days earlier. Schlittler had issued a season-high five walks in that start and couldn’t complete the fifth inning despite New York leading 10-1. That shaky showing sparked doubts about whether he was ready for the intensity of postseason games.
On Sunday, he erased much of that concern. He attacked hitters with confidence, stayed in the zone, and limited free passes to one. The command he lacked in Minneapolis returned in force, and the timing couldn’t have been better with rotation decisions looming.
Gil faces uphill battle
The battle for the third starter spot appears to have come down to Schlittler and Gil, with Will Warren trailing as a long-shot candidate. Gil is scheduled to pitch Tuesday against the White Sox at Yankee Stadium, and his performance now looms even larger after Schlittler’s statement outing.
Luis Gil’s advantage is postseason experience. He started Game 4 of both the ALCS and World Series last year. But since returning from a high-grade lat strain in August, his command has been erratic. Walk rates are up, strikeouts are down, and the crispness of his 2024 campaign has yet to resurface.
Schlittler, by contrast, built a reputation in the minors for pounding the strike zone. Outside of his stumble in Minnesota, he has largely carried that profile to the big leagues. Sunday’s rebound outing suggests he may have corrected course at just the right moment.
“Performance matters, and where you think they are once we’re headed into that situation,” Boone said last week. “They’re each going to have a few more here, so hopefully they put us in a tough situation based on them performing well.”
Strike-throwing could decide the race
The defining factor may be strike-throwing. In October, avoiding walks often makes the difference between staying in the game and watching from the bullpen.
Schlittler has compiled a 2.81 ERA across his last 10 starts since Aug. 2. He has logged 137 1/3 innings this season, already surpassing his previous career high of 120 2/3.
“I feel good,” Schlittler said. “Obviously I’ve gone over the amount of innings I’ve had ever, so just trying to make sure I’m staying on top of that stuff. But overall, body feels good.”
The Yankees could also look at potential matchups in the wild card round. With the Astros, Red Sox, Mariners, Tigers and Guardians all still in play as opponents, how Schlittler’s power fastball profiles against those lineups may carry weight.
Though his velocity could play up in shorter stints, the Yankees value having that power from the rotation. Schlittler has pitched out of the bullpen just four times as a professional, all in the minors.
Mental makeup not a concern
For all his inexperience, the Yankees have no doubts about Schlittler’s poise. His preparation and attitude have impressed since his call-up earlier this summer.
“That’s been my take on him from jump, that he’s a tough kid, confident, invested in his craft, invested in learning from each experience, each outing,” Boone said. “I feel like he’s come up here and done an outstanding job, but I also feel like he’s grown with the experience. He continues to gain more and more confidence, which is a strength for him.”
Final auditions loom
Schlittler is scheduled to make one final regular-season start next Saturday against the Orioles, which lines him up to pitch Game 3 of the wild-card series on normal rest. Gil will take the mound Tuesday and could come back again Sunday if the Yankees want another look.
New York also has an off day Monday, which gives Boone the option to juggle the rotation and adjust rest days. That could mean moving Schlittler and Rodón up one day to keep them sharp while still allowing extra rest before October.
Regardless of how the Yankees set it up, Sunday’s 89-pitch effort gave Schlittler momentum. He displayed the stuff, command and composure needed for postseason success. Now the challenge shifts to Gil, who must deliver on Tuesday night.
The Yankees have gone 28-14 since Aug. 6, the best mark in the majors over that span. They trail the Blue Jays by two games in the AL East with six remaining, while holding at least a two-game cushion for the top AL wild-card slot.
The race for the No. 3 playoff starter has never been tighter. Thanks to his gem in Baltimore, Schlittler has made sure the Yankees face a tough but enviable decision heading into October.
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