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New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler impressed against the Boston Red Sox.
New York Yankees rookie Cam Schlittler had himself a night against the Boston Red Sox as the pitcher ensured his former hometown team got eliminated. Schlittler made MLB history with 12 strikeouts in eight innings, the most in a winner-take-all game.
The 6-foot-6 right-hander, in his 85th day as a major leaguer, became the first pitcher to toss at least eight scoreless innings with at least 12 strikeouts and zero walks in a postseason game, according to ESPN Research,” ESPN’s Jorge Castillo detailed in an October 2, 2025, story titled, “Schlittler shuts down Red Sox as Yankees advance to ALDS.
His 12 strikeouts were the most in a winner-take-all game in history, the most in a playoff debut in Yankees history and the most he’s compiled in a professional game at any level.
After advancing to the ALDS, Schlittler briefly paused his celebration to poke fun at the Red Sox. Schlittler trolled Boston fans with a reference to the team’s victory song “Dirty Water.”
“Drinking dat dirty water,” Schlittler said in an October 3, message on X.
Aaron Judge on Cam Schlittler After Yankees Eliminated Red Sox: ‘He’s Been Our Secret Weapon’
Schlittler is drawing the respect of his Yankees teammates. Aaron Judge was impressed with Schlittler in Game 3, but the star is not surprised by the rookie’s clutch outing.
“He’s been our secret weapon,” Judge told reporters on October 2. “Ever since he got called up, this guy’s been impressive for us. Just the way he handles the strike zone, he can run up to 100 miles an hour, but great feel for all his pitches.
“And then, no moment is too big for him. Even his debut at Yankee Stadium, he was getting a standing O coming off the mound. And he was head down, locked in, didn’t even know what was going on. So, it’s just a special player, that’s for sure.”
Yankees Manager Aaron Boone on Cam Schlittler’s Performance: ‘I Didn’t Want to Talk to Him Much’
Considering Schlittler was a seventh-round pick in the 2025 MLB draft, the pitcher is already outperforming expectations. Yankees manager Aaron Boone believes Schlittler’s performance shows the rookie’s star power.
“A star is born tonight,” Boone remarked on Schlittler, per ESPN. “He’s a special kid, man. He is not afraid. He expects this.
“… I didn’t even want to talk to him much. I just wanted to say, ‘You good?’ Usually, I will come down the steps if I am going to have a conversation or take him out. I kind of stood on the steps and just gave him my, ‘Are you good?’ He was.”
Cam Schlittler on Yankees vs. Red Sox: ‘It’s Personal for Me’
Schlittler grew up a Red Sox fan and was able to stick it to his hometown team. The Yankees rookie admitted it was “personal” against the Red Sox.
“Like I said after the game, it’s personal for me just playing Boston,” Schlittler explained to SNY TV after the Yankees advanced to the ALDS.
“So, I was locked in. I trusted the guys to back me up out there and that’s exactly what they did.”
Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports contributor covering the NFL, NBA and golf for Heavy.com. His work has been prominently featured on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams
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