Yankees trust Cam Schlittler as postseason starter after latest gem

The Yankees trust Cam Schlittler to start in the postseason after another strong outing against the Orioles on Saturday, reinforcing the belief that the 24-year-old right-hander is built for October. In his 14th major-league start, Schlittler worked seven innings, struck out nine, did not allow a run, and issued just one walk while throwing 97 pitches in a 6-1 win in the Bronx. He had beat Baltimore once before, holding them to one run in 5 1/3 innings at Camden Yards last Sunday, and he carried that momentum into a performance that helped the Yankees reset their rotation ahead of the season’s final days.

Boone said the club would be confident handing Schlittler a playoff ball, answering simply, “Yes, absolutely,” when asked if Schlittler would be trusted in October after another superb outing against Baltimore. Schlittler, who started the season at Double-A and didn’t debut in the majors until July 9, embraced the moment. “Obviously, I knew the situation after [Friday], and that was a little bit of pressure,” Schlittler said. “That’s something I enjoy and want to pitch through.” He added that the high-stakes environment sharpens his focus and, if anything, “locks me in a little bit more. I enjoy everything that comes with that, whether it’s good or bad. I make sure I handle it the right way and take it into next week.” The one hiccup he encountered came in the fifth when he hit two batters, but he recovered to induce Jackson Holliday to ground out to end the inning.

Schlittler’s performance arrived as the Yankees weigh how to deploy their rotation for the postseason. The team likely will turn to Max Fried and Carlos Rodón for the first two starts, with Schlittler or Luis Gil positioned to follow in either the wild-card round or the ALDS, depending on the structure of their series. The decision will hinge on matchup, bullpen dynamics, and what New York feels gives it the best chance to advance.

“I love it,” Aaron Judge said of Schlittler’s emergence. “He’s been impressive all year. Besides the arsenal he has, each start he’s becoming a better pitcher, reading swings and knowing what to throw.” Boone echoed the sentiment, praising Schlittler’s humility and competitive fire. “There’s a humility to him. He doesn’t think he has everything figured out. He does have confidence with a real good competitiveness. That’s a good combination.” Pitching through the seventh inning also allowed the Yankees to reset their bullpen as they head into a critical Game 162. “He really gave us a shot in the arm in the rotation when he came up,” Boone said. “He’s a big reason we’re in the position we’re in.”

For Schlittler, the latest outing represents more than a one-game spike; it’s a blueprint for how he and New York envision handling October. He has combined deft breaking balls with a fastball that has ticked up at times this season, and his ability to adapt to swings and counts has given the Yankees confidence in calling his number when it matters most.

As the regular season winds down, Schlittler’s track record has evolved from an unlikely roots-to-rotation story into a potential postseason anchor. If he continues to perform in high-leverage environments, the Yankees could rely on a young pitcher who has already defied traditional scouting narratives about postseason readiness. The next chapter will unfold in the coming days, with a clear sense that Schlittler belongs in the conversation about who starts when the games count most.