Cam Schlitler attempted to salvage the Yankees’ postseason once more during Wednesday’s playoff game.
Unfortunately, the Yankees came up short, mainly due to a quiet offensive effort against Toronto’s bullpen, resulting in a 5-2 loss in Game 4 of the ALDS held in the Bronx.
Schlitler had previously dominated in Game 3 of the wild-card series against the Red Sox, pitching eight innings without allowing a run and notching 12 strikeouts. That performance secured a spot in the ALDS, but it wasn’t enough.
In his second postseason appearance and just the 16th game of his MLB career since his promotion in July, Schlitler surrendered four runs, with two earned, across 6 1/3 innings. He became the only Yankees starter to pitch four scoreless innings in the series.
Back on September 5, against the Blue Jays, Schlitler had a rough outing, permitting four runs and not completing the second inning. It seemed like he was let down by his defense, as he managed to limit the strong Blue Jays lineup to just two runs until the seventh inning.
He did face a challenging start, giving up a leadoff double to George Springer, followed by a single from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who has historically plagued the Yankees.
A walk by Addison Berger added to the trouble, but Schlitler managed to get Alejandro Kirk to hit a foul pop-up. Austin Wells made a solid play on that, and Cody Bellinger saved a potential run with a sliding catch of a fly ball by Dalton Varsho along the left field line.
Though Schlitler found a rhythm through the next innings, Toronto regained the lead in the fifth. A leadoff single from Ernie Clement and a grounder from Andres Jimenez got things rolling.
It appeared Schlitler hesitated, perhaps thinking Jazz Chisholm Jr. could start a double play, but the ball slipped into center field, putting runners at first and third with no outs.
Then, George Springer lifted a sacrifice fly to center, allowing Clement to score and giving the Blue Jays a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Even after Addison Berger hit first in the sixth, manager Aaron Boone kept Schlitler on the mound. Surprisingly, Schlitler managed to escape that inning, but the seventh brought trouble. A single by Clement coupled with Chisholm’s ill-fated attempt at a double play marked the end of Schlitler’s night.
Devin Williams then came in but allowed a two-run hit to Nathan Rooks, providing Toronto with the breathing room needed to seal the victory.
Heading into the offseason, Schlitler is now a key part of the Yankees’ rotation plans for next year, joining Max Fried and Carlos Rodon, while Gerrit Cole and Clark Schmidt are expected back from injuries at some point.
Starting the season at Double-A Somerset, the 24-year-old has proven to be the organization’s top pitching prospect, clearly surpassing Will Warren and Lewis Gil, who have had their struggles.
