Clarke Schmidt experienced the highs and lows of playoff baseball in Game 3 of the ALDS, showcasing the unpredictable momentum shifts that define October. After a strong start, retiring 13 of the first 16 batters he faced, Schmidt was on the verge of notching a win in one of the Yankees’ most pivotal games of the season.
But the fifth inning took a sharp turn. With two outs, Schmidt allowed an infield single, followed by an RBI double and an RBI triple in quick succession. What seemed like a dominant outing quickly unraveled, forcing manager Aaron Boone to call on Clay Holmes to avoid further damage and keep Schmidt from taking the loss.
Despite the late collapse, Schmidt’s overall performance was solid. He struck out four, gave up just four hits, and walked one over 4 ²/₃ innings, throwing 71 pitches. With the bullpen stepping up to preserve the lead, the Yankees secured a 3-2 win over the Royals.
After the game, Schmidt reflected on the intensity of playoff baseball, acknowledging how swiftly momentum can shift, especially in hostile environments. He emphasized that in the postseason, even the smallest mistake can be costly.
“That’s the playoffs,” the Yankees pitcher said. “You give them an inch, they’ll take a mile. I think the momentum swings are a major thing here, especially on the road when the crowd gets involved.”
Schmidt’s outing cautions Yankees about playoff mistakes
Schmidt’s outing was reminiscent of Carlos Rodon’s Game 2, where Rodon saw a strong start unravel in a single inning, allowing four runs on four hits.
The game served as a reminder of the fine margins in playoff baseball and the importance of staying locked in on every pitch. It also highlighted the critical role of a dependable bullpen in preserving leads during high-stakes moments.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Clarke Schmidt’s Game 3 performance, calling it “excellent” despite Schmidt’s inability to finish the fifth inning. He highlighted the pitcher’s control and execution for much of his outing, emphasizing that the young pitcher gave the team exactly what it needed.
“I thought Clarke was excellent,” the skipper remarked. “He was really in control of what he was doing. His stuff was good. His execution for the most part was good. Just not able to quite finish off that inning, but he gave us what we needed.”
But the Yankees pitcher ran into trouble against the bottom of the Royals’ order, starting with Adam Frazier’s soft single. One strike away from preserving a 2-0 lead, Schmidt then allowed a double to Kyle Isbel that hugged the left-field line, followed by a triple from Michael Massey that narrowly escaped a diving Juan Soto in right field.
Clay Holmes was called in to shut down the rally, stranding runners on the corners and kicking off a stellar performance from the Yankees’ bullpen, which recorded 13 straight outs to secure the 3-2 win.
Reflecting on the pressure of pitching in the postseason, Schmidt acknowledged that each pitch carries more weight in October, with starters often having shorter leashes. He stressed the importance of setting the tone early with clean innings to build momentum.
“You’re aware of how high stress every pitch is and that you don’t really have too long of a leash,” he admitted. “So I think there is power in that — trying to come out hot and put up as many zeros as you can in a short span of time.”
Boone’s decision to start Schmidt, who posted a 2.85 ERA over 16 starts in what was his best season to date, proved wise. After struggling in relief during the 2022 postseason, Schmidt looked far more comfortable in a starting role this time around.
The outing highlighted Schmidt’s growth as a pitcher and his ability to handle playoff pressure, while also underscoring the vital support provided by the bullpen in protecting leads during crucial games.
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