NEW YORK — The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox spent the offseason investing heavily in their rotations. Neither expected their playoff hopes to rest on arms with barely a month of big league time.
Yet that is the reality Thursday night at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees will start 24-year-old Cam Schlittler. The Red Sox counter with 23-year-old Connelly Early. Together, they own just 18 major league starts. One will move on to face Toronto in the American League Division Series. The other will be eliminated.
“Two rookies, Game 3, Wild Card, Yankees-Red Sox. Imagine that?” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said after Wednesday’s 4-3 loss. “Should be a fun night.”
A Massachusetts kid pitching for Yankees
Schlittler’s story adds an unusual twist to the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. The Walpole, Massachusetts native grew up a Red Sox fan. His family wore Boston gear around town, and he pitched at Northeastern University in the heart of Red Sox territory.
That changed when the Yankees drafted him in the seventh round in 2022.
“Growing up in Boston, I take pride in being from Boston,” Schlittler said. “When it comes to my career and where I wanted to be, this is where I wanted to be. They are full Yankee guys now. They don’t wear it around as much in Boston just because. But when they are here, they are very prideful about it.”
Schlittler debuted July 9 against Seattle. He threw 5.1 innings, struck out seven, and earned the win. He closed his rookie year with a 2.96 ERA in 73 innings, relying on a fastball that touched triple digits, plus a cutter and curveball.
“Been super impressed with, first and foremost, his stuff,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I mean, he’s got big stuff. It is big fastball. The cutter and this curveball are really good pitches for him. Really good competitor.”
In his final regular season outing, Schlittler shut down Baltimore across seven scoreless innings, striking out nine and allowing just two hits.
The kid who wasn’t supposed to be here
Early’s rise is even more unlikely. Drafted out of Virginia in the fifth round in 2023, he started this season in Double-A. Few believed he would even be on the playoff roster.
When Lucas Giolito went down with a flexor tendon injury, Boston needed arms. Early got the call on Sept. 9.
His debut was historic. He struck out 11 Oakland batters, tying a major league record for a debut. Over four starts, he produced a 2.33 ERA and 1.086 WHIP, walking only four and striking out 29.
Thursday will be his fifth career appearance. He has never faced the Yankees.
“I’m super excited about it,” Early said Wednesday. “Really good feeling to get this opportunity, and just ready to get out there.”
His teammates see the poise.
“He reminds me a lot of Roman,” said Boston outfielder Jarren Duran, comparing him to injured rookie Roman Anthony. “They’re both so young, but they’re so calm, cool and collected, and it’s awesome to see that. I can’t wait to see him get on the mound tomorrow and see that big smile he always has when he’s competing.”
Connelly Early’s fastball averages 98 mph, ranking him among the game’s elite. He throws it more than half the time and pairs it with a 27.6 percent strikeout rate.
Cora trusts the numbers. “He can rack up the strikeouts and had a 33.9% whiff rate during the regular season,” the manager said.
History in the making at the stadium
| Pitcher | MLB Debut | Games Started | Win-Loss | ERA | Innings Pitched | Strikeouts | Walks | WHIP | Opponent AVG | K/9 | BB/9 | Fastball Velo | Best Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Schlittler | July 9, 2025 vs. Seattle | 13 | 06-Mar | 2.96 | 73 | 73 | 18 | 1.08 | 0.212 | 9 | 2.2 | 98-100 mph | 7 IP, 9 K, 2 H vs. Baltimore |
| Connelly Early | Sept. 9, 2025 vs. Oakland | 4 | 2-0 | 2.33 | 27 | 29 | 4 | 1.086 | 0.198 | 9.7 | 1.3 | 96-98 mph | 11 K debut vs. Oakland |
Thursday’s duel will be historic regardless of the outcome. It marks only the second time in postseason history two rookies have faced off in a winner-take-all game. The first was in 2020, when Atlanta’s Ian Anderson opposed Los Angeles’ Dustin May in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series.
The combined age of Schlittler and Early is 48.2 years. That makes it the third-youngest pitching matchup in a decisive playoff game. Only the 2020 NLCS Game 7 and the 1997 ALDS Game 5 between Cleveland’s Jaret Wright and the Yankees’ Andy Pettitte featured younger starters.
Early will also become just the fifth pitcher in league history to start a postseason game within his first five major league outings.
Schlittler has never pitched against the Red Sox. Early has never faced the Yankees. Both are entering uncharted territory.
“It’s all learning points, so for me to experience playoff baseball for two days before I get throwing is definitely a good experience,” Yankees’ Schlittler said of watching the first two games from the dugout.
Expectations meet reality
Boston leaned on six relievers Wednesday after Brayan Bello lasted only 2.1 innings, but the Yankees had the last laugh. Garrett Whitlock threw 47 pitches. Cora said the bullpen should be available, but Whitlock’s usage will depend on treatment and recovery. Kyle Harrison could be the first arm out of the pen if Early falters.
New York feels confident Schlittler can handle the stage.
“He’ll handle it well,” Boone said. “I don’t think it will be too big for him, and he will be ready to roll.”
Carlos Rodon, who started Game 2 for the Yankees, agreed.
“Everybody knows the kinda stuff that Cam has, he’s equipped well with a pretty impressive arsenal,” he said. “I’m excited to see how the energy and the crowd and how he interacts with that. It’s gonna be really good for him, he needs to experience this.”
Stakes couldn’t be higher
The winner moves on to Toronto to begin the ALDS against the division champion Blue Jays. The loser sees its season end.
For Schlittler, it is a chance to beat the team he once rooted for and prove he belongs in New York’s long-term rotation. Boone was asked if the rookie already looks like a future anchor.
“It does feel that way,” the Yankees manager said.
For Early, success would validate one of baseball’s most improbable September stories. From Double-A call-up to playoff starter in less than a month, it has been a rapid ascent.
“It’s 1-1 now so it comes down to this game,” Early said. “I’m excited to get out there.”
First pitch is Thursday night. Two rookies. One elimination game. Another unforgettable chapter in the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry awaits.
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