Pinpoint command has Schlittler making leap into Majors' elite

NEW YORK – Entering Monday’s action, the Yankees’ starting rotation has posted a Major League-best 2.74 ERA (194 2/3 innings, 59 earned runs) with 195 strikeouts in 34 starts. Cam Schlittler is one of the reasons New York is on top in that category.

Opposing hitters are having fits when they face the right-hander. Schlittler has an arsenal of pitches, but his four-seamer, cutter and sinker are virtually unhittable. Opposing hitters are a combined 19-for-128 (.148) with one homer against those pitches. Schlittler has also limited his walks per nine innings, going from 3.8 last year to 1.3 in 2026.

Schlittler considers his April 1 outing against the Mariners his best. He left the game without allowing a run in 6 1/3 innings, and he retired the last 15 batters he faced in a 5-3 victory.

“I got to the seventh, a lot of strikeouts, no walks, two hits. I was effective,” Schlittler said. “I put the team in a spot to win. I try to mimic that success on the mound. I like limiting walks and limiting the damage.”

According to teammate Ben Rice, Schlittler’s poise on the mound is evident every time.

“He is very composed out there – this year, especially,” Rice said. “He has been super calm and collected every time he is out there on the mound. I feel that allows him to go up and attack the zone. He trusts himself. He trusts his stuff. It’s hard not to when you are throwing three different fastballs 95-plus all the time.”

It’s the Orioles’ turn to face Schlittler on Monday night at Yankees Stadium. They haven’t had much success against him since he made his Major League debut last year. In two starts against Baltimore, Schlittler has allowed one run in 12 1/3 innings (0.73 ERA) with 15 strikeouts.

“It’s another game. They have a good lineup. I was able to face them in back-to-back weeks at the end of the season last year. It was a great challenge for me,” Schlittler said.

It was the second game against the Orioles on Sept. 27 at Yankee Stadium that made Schlittler figure out how he was going to use his arsenal during his Major League career. In that game, he threw seven scoreless innings and struck out a then-career-high nine in a 6-1 victory.

The success against the O’s carried over into the playoffs. Who can forget the game that put Schlittler on the map? It was the clincher during Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series. All he did was pitch eight scoreless innings and strike out 12 in a 4-0 victory over the Red Sox.

That dominance on the mound has carried over into the 2026 season. The Orioles will have their hands full.

“It has been nothing short of dominance this year,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Last year, [he] was excellent and, obviously, put a stamp on it with kind of an historic postseason performance that has kind of been in line with who he has been now to start this year.

“He has a lot of confidence with his size and strength throwing. It’s a real factor for him. He has been as good as anyone in the sport to start this year.”