Schlittler Strikes Out 12, Yankees Eliminate Red Sox/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler dazzled in his postseason debut, striking out 12 and leading the Yankees to a 4-0 win over the Red Sox. New York advances to face Toronto in the AL Division Series after a dominant pitching performance and timely offense. Schlittler becomes the latest star in the Yankees–Red Sox rivalry.
Yankees vs. Red Sox Wild Card Finale: Quick Looks
- Yankees win AL Wild Card Series 2–1 with 4–0 shutout.
- Cam Schlittler strikes out 12 in 8 scoreless innings.
- Rookie hits 100+ mph 11 times in dominant start.
- New York rallies with 4-run fourth inning.
- Yankees become first team to win Wild Card Series after losing Game 1.
- Red Sox plagued by errors and missed defensive plays.
- David Bednar closes game; Red Sox don’t reach third base.
- Yankees face AL East champion Toronto in next round.
Deep Look
Rookie Cam Schlittler Shuts Down Red Sox in Historic Postseason Debut, Yankees Advance in Wild Card Series
NEW YORK — The legend of Yankees–Red Sox postseason battles added another chapter Thursday night — and this one belonged to rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler.
In just his 15th career major league start, the 24-year-old right-hander delivered one of the most impressive postseason debuts in Yankees history, striking out 12 batters across eight scoreless innings to lead New York to a 4-0 win over Boston in Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series.
With the win, the Yankees advanced to the AL Division Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, beginning Saturday. Schlittler’s performance — full of 100 mph heat, poise, and dominance — etched his name into the rivalry’s lore.
“A star is born tonight,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s a special kid. He is not afraid. He expects this.”
A Performance for the Ages
Schlittler, a Massachusetts native and former Red Sox fan, showed no nerves facing his hometown team. From his first pitch — which touched 100 mph — the Yankees rookie had command. He threw 75 of 107 pitches for strikes, including 22 first-pitch strikes to 29 batters.
He allowed just five singles, walked none, and became the first Yankees pitcher to strike out 12 in his postseason debut — two more than any other in franchise history.
“I woke up and I was locked in,” Schlittler said postgame. “I knew exactly what I needed to do — especially against my hometown team.”
He even leaned on advice from Andy Pettitte, a Yankees legend with 19 postseason wins, the day before the game.
Offensive Spark in the Fourth
New York’s offense broke through in the fourth inning, aided by Boston’s shaky defense, which led the majors in errors this season.
The inning began when Cody Bellinger dropped a soft fly ball into a no-man’s land in shallow center and hustled it into a double. After Giancarlo Stanton walked, Amed Rosario delivered an RBI single just past shortstop Trevor Story.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed with a single to load the bases, and Anthony Volpe made it 2-0 with a grounder just out of reach of second baseman Romy González. A key error came when Nathaniel Lowe mishandled a potential double-play grounder from Austin Wells, allowing two more runs to score, extending the lead to 4-0.
“They didn’t hit the ball hard, but they found holes,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “It happened fast. We didn’t play defense.”
Yankees Defense Comes Through
It wasn’t just pitching and offense — the Yankees flashed the leather too. In the eighth inning, third baseman Ryan McMahon chased down a foul pop from Jarren Duran, flipped over the dugout railing into the Red Sox bench, and popped up grinning — unscathed and cheered by the Bronx crowd.
Meanwhile, closer David Bednar took care of the ninth, issuing a leadoff walk but keeping Boston from advancing a runner past second base all game.
Red Sox Fall Short Again
The Red Sox once again struggled in a high-stakes postseason moment. Rookie starter Connelly Early, the youngest Boston pitcher to start a postseason game since Babe Ruth in 1916, allowed four runs — though only two were earned — in four innings.
Boston’s bats never found rhythm, and with New York’s power arms on the mound, they failed to make an impact.
The Yankees now hold a 14-13 edge in postseason matchups between the rivals, flipping the narrative after losing eight of their previous nine playoff meetings with Boston dating back to 2004.
“It felt like the most pressure-packed game I’ve ever experienced — World Series, clinching games, whatever,” Boone added.
What’s Next?
The Yankees head north to open the AL Division Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, winners of the AL East. Luis Gil (4-1, 3.32 ERA) or Will Warren (9-8, 4.44 ERA) is expected to start Game 1 for New York. Toronto will likely counter with either Kevin Gausman (10-11, 3.59 ERA) or Shane Bieber (4-2, 3.57 ERA).
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