SAN DIEGO -- There are fewer than three weeks remaining in the regular season, which means every game carries heightened importance for the Yankees’ playoff destiny.
Each Cam Schlittler start also contains a compelling side quest: to solidify his standing for the American League’s Cy Young Award.
In the home stretch of a season-long battle for the award, Schlittler’s competition appears to be chiefly against the Blue Jays’ Dylan Cease. Their jockeying has remained friendly, even when Toronto manager John Schneider gave his ace the All-Star Game’s starting nod back in July.
“He’s a great player,” Schlittler said. “It’s going to be a close race. You look at it; [the Cy Young Award is] not always the main goal. Given where we’re at in the season, it’s not an issue to try and chase that.”
Schlittler says his focus is on taking the ball against the Rockies on Tuesday. He’s content to leave the arguments to others.
“Wire to wire, he’s been consistent,” said Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake. “He goes deep into the games. He’s logging a lot of innings. He’s put up a lot of quality starts. He’s faced good competition, and he’s been really good on the road. If you want to look at a guy who’s carried volume and prevented runs at a high level, he has done that at an exceptional rate.”
Schlittler, 25, is coming off eight strong innings in a no-decision on Sept. 2 against the Angels in Anaheim, when he permitted just two hits – including a Vaughn Grissom solo homer – while striking out nine and walking none.
Since an Aug. 3 stumble against the Cardinals, Schlittler has been sharp. Over his last five starts, Schlittler is 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA, having permitted four runs across 32 innings. He has allowed 17 hits and 11 walks while striking out 39.
“He pitches with a chip on his shoulder,” Cody Bellinger said. “He goes out and wants to dominate. He wants to be better, and he expects a lot out of himself. He’s just done a tremendous job this year.”
Through Sunday, Schlittler’s 2.04 ERA edges Cease’s 2.25 ERA for the American League’s best. Schlittler has allowed one earned run or fewer in a Major League-best 19 starts this season, including 16 of his last 23 (since April 28).
“The growth we’ve seen,” Blake said, “from a mental standpoint of going out there and attacking good lineups, then adjusting – it’s been really impressive to see. We’ve gotten leaps and bounds of growth out of him.”
Cleveland’s Gavin Williams paces the AL with 228 strikeouts, ahead of Cease (221) and Schlittler (210). Schlittler is second in the AL with 171 2/3 innings pitched, behind the Royals’ Michael Wacha (176 2/3).
Cease has the edge in opponent average (.176, to Schlittler’s .192), while Schlittler’s 0.94 WHIP is second behind Drew Rasmussen of the Rays (0.91). Fangraphs has Schlittler and Cease even with 5.4 WAR, leading all AL pitchers.
“It’s been good so far,” Schlittler said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of ball left to play, and the goal is to win a championship. Whatever I can do to help this team win games, if that means putting up those numbers, then it’s a great feeling.”