Most strikeouts by a rookie in a MLB playoff game: How Cam Schlittler joined history books for Yankees in Game 3

Dan Treacy

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Most strikeouts by a rookie in a MLB playoff game: How Cam Schlittler joined history books for Yankees in Game 3 image

The New York Yankees' secret weapon is no longer a secret.

Rookie starter Cam Schlittler, who helped drive New York's resurgence in September, got the ball in Game 3 and delivered a start that will live in Yankees lore, striking out 12 batters in a win-or-go-home game against the Boston Red Sox.

Two days after Aaron Boone received criticism for pulling Max Fried in the seventh inning, a decision that preceded a blown lead and narrow Game 1 loss, Boone rewarded his 24-year-old starter by sending him back out for the eighth inning at 100 pitches.

The decision showed what kind of confidence the Yankees have in their young arm who was still in the minor leagues just three short months ago.

Here's a look at Schlittler's dominant Game 3 start, by the numbers.

MORE: Where is Cam Schlittler from?

Most strikeouts by a rookie in a playoff game

Schlittler's 12 strikeouts rank fourth in MLB history by a rookie in a postseason game. He would have needed two more to crack the top three.

PitcherKsTeamOpponentYear
Livan Hernandez15MarlinsBraves1997
Mike Boddicker14OriolesWhite Sox1983
John Candelaria14PiratesReds1975
Cam Schlittler12YankeesRed Sox2025
Don Newcombe11DodgersYankees1949
Tim Belcher10DodgersMets1988
Dave Righetti10YankeesBrewers1981

Livan Hernandez tossed a 15-strikeout complete game for the Marlins in the NLCS as part of a run that brought a championship to South Florida.

While Schlittler didn't reach that mark, he became the first rookie since Hernandez to record at least 10 strikeouts in a postseason game. No other rookie had reached double-digits in the 21st century before Schlittler, who carved up Boston's lineup with the Yankees' season on the line.

MORE: Inside Aaron Judge's career postseason stats

Cam Schlittler Game 3 start, by the numbers

Schlittler made all kinds of history in Game 3, tossing eight shutout innings with five hits, no walks allowed and 12 strikeouts. 

The 24-year-old set a new record for most strikeouts by a Yankees starter in his playoff debut, beating the previous record by two.

Schlittler also became the first pitcher in MLB history -- not just the first rookie -- to record at least 12 strikeouts in a winner-take-all game. Before Schlittler, no rookie had ever even reached eight strikeouts in a winner-take-all game.

Schlittler is the first pitcher to ever record a postseason start with eight shutout innings, no walks and at least 12 strikeouts. Only Hall of Famer Tom Seaver has tossed eight innings with no walks and at least 12 strikeouts in a postseason game, but he allowed two runs in his 1973 start.

For Schlittler, a performance like this was a first. The Yankees starter was excellent down the stretch, but he had never notched double-digit strikeouts in any game at any level before Thursday night.

MORE: Key stats to know from Aaron Judge vs. Cal Raleigh MVP debate

Cam Schlittler highlights vs. Red Sox

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.