Schlittler hits the mound eying 1st back-to-back wins since May
This browser does not support the video element.
CHICAGO -- Cam Schlittler cruised through his most recent outing, finding the groove that has placed him firmly at the center of the conversation for the American League’s Cy Young Award.
Now he’ll be looking to notch something that has eluded the Yankees right-hander since early May: consecutive winning starts.
Schlittler is scheduled to take the ball on Wednesday evening against the White Sox at Rate Field, aiming to follow up on 7 1/3 innings of scoreless ball in a 1-0 victory over the Phillies on Friday in Philadelphia.
“I was able to establish the curveball early and then play the four-seam and the cutter off that, and sprinkle the sinker in there when I needed to,” Schlittler said. “I feel like I was able to get ahead and stay ahead.”
Schlittler has not won back-to-back starts since April 23-May 4, when he won three straight against the Red Sox, Rangers and Orioles.
Wednesday will be Schlittler’s second career start against the White Sox, and his first this year. He took a no-decision in a start at Rate Field last Aug. 30, striking out eight over six innings of one-run ball in the Yanks’ 5-3, 11-inning win.
The All-Star owns a 10-6 record and an AL-best 2.07 ERA across 22 starts, and he's also tied for the AL lead with a 0.93 WHIP.
Entering Tuesday, Schlittler was tied for second in the AL in wins (10) and strikeouts (157), tied for first in starts (22), second in innings (130 1/3) and second in opponents' average (.200).
“He’s very consistent with how he approaches each start,” said veteran Paul Goldschmidt. “The next game, he’s always the same guy, and he’s very competitive. He’s a smart pitcher. He’s going to be really fun to watch in his career.”
Schlittler’s ERA is the seventh-lowest by a Yankees starter through his first 22 starts of a season (since 1913, when ERA became an official stat).
He trails Steve Kline (1.61 ERA in 1972), Whitey Ford (1.68 ERA in 1958 and 1.98 ERA in 1964), Spud Chandler (1.88 ERA in 1943 and ’46) and Ron Guidry (2.02 ERA in 1978).