Minneapolis – Cam Schlittler’s Pitching Aspirations
Cam Schlittler is definitely aiming to make an impression with his pitching.
As the Yankees chase a playoff spot—possibly through a wildcard—they’re already considering what the postseason will look like. Right now, Max Fried and Carlos Rodon are the top starters in line, but if there’s a third game, Schlittler has certainly put himself in contention.
However, his performance on Tuesday, where he couldn’t even make it through five innings despite a nine-run lead, doesn’t really help his case.
“Getting to pitch in the playoffs is the goal,” Schlittler mentioned after the Yankees’ tight 10-9 win. “But I’m not going to get those chances against teams not in the race. That’s why I’ve been pushing myself to keep performing well in my upcoming starts.”
The rookie right-hander faced some challenges early on, struggling with command and walking two batters that led to a run. Yet, he had an impressive run of 11 straight outs before stumbling again in the fifth inning.
He gave up a two-run home run to James Outman, the No. 9 batter, and then walked three of the next four hitters, ending his outing prematurely.
Those five walks were the most in his career, particularly since he was known for his control in the minors.
“I gave up that home run—couldn’t keep my composure,” Schlittler said. “Maybe I was trying to push too hard.”
Upcoming MLB Plans in London
In other news, Major League Baseball had initially planned to showcase two games in London featuring the Yankees and the Blue Jays next June. Unfortunately, those plans have been disrupted due to scheduling complications with West Ham’s Olympic Stadium, as reported by The Associated Press.
Aaron Judge’s Return
Aaron Judge was back in the right field on Tuesday for the first time in consecutive games since dealing with discomfort in his right elbow flexor. He had only been able to start once during that recovery period, and it was during games when other teams were off.
Giancarlo Stanton’s Comeback
Meanwhile, Giancarlo Stanton returned to the designated hitter position after a rough stretch (.118) over his last 15 games. However, he bounced back nicely on Tuesday, contributing with two singles and a sacrifice fly.
“It seems like he’s in a good spot physically, and I think he’s gearing up to bring his offense back to form,” manager Aaron Boone noted.
