In a win-or-go home scenario, Cam Schlitter was brilliant for the New York Yankees.
In a decisive Game 3 of the American League Wild Card series against the Boston Red Sox, Schlittler threw eight shutout innings, striking out 12 and walking none as the Yankees won 4-0 to advance to the ALDS.
In his postseason debut, Schlittler made history in several facets on Thursday. Per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Schlittler is the first pitcher in MLB history to go eight innings, walk none and strike out 12 in a postseason game. Additionally, his 12 punch outs set a new franchise record for a Yankees rookie in their postseason debut, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. The previous record of 10 was held by Red Ruffing in Game 1 of the 1932 World Series, and Dave Righetti in Game 2 of the 1981 ALDS.
Schlittler debuted in the Majors on July 9, and was exceptional for the Yankees during the regular season, posting a 4-3 record with a 2.96 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 73.0 innings of work. So far, it seems like he’s picked up where he left off, and then some, in the postseason.
The Yankees will now face the Toronto Blue Jays — who they lost the AL East tiebreaker with — in the ALDS. New York struggled against the Blue Jays in the regular season, and will be looking to avenge those struggles in order to advance to the ALCS.