On Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, New York took charge of its Wild Card Series against Boston, with two players from Massachusetts leading the way. Cam Schlittler threw a shutout, fanning 10 hitters across 6.1 frames, while Ben Rice connected for a grand slam in the eighth inning to power a big offensive night.
The judge stayed out of the whole series, but everyone else on the roster stepped up. Schlittler, who hails from Walpole, Mass., and Rice, the 27-year-old from Cohasset, both grew up following the Red Sox and both ensured the Yankees felt right at home in the Bronx.
Schlittler’s Shutout
The pitcher’s ERA was below one against the Red Sox coming in, and he proved it during the contest. Aaron Boone gave him the ball based on his strong regular season, and Schlittler responded.
A total of 117 pitches were thrown by the pitcher, which set a career high for him. He struck out 10 batters, allowed two hits, and issued one walk. His control was precise, with a strike percentage of 65.8%. The Red Sox hitters had no answer for him.
“He blew past his career-high in pitches thrown for a single outing, hitting 117, while throwing a strike at a 65.8% clip.”
Schlittler carries a 0.47 ERA across 38.2 innings and 49 strikeouts through his first six starts against Boston. His strong record is nothing new, yet it was on full display in Game 1.
Rice’s Grand Slam
With a career-best in homers already under his belt, Rice made his presence felt on the biggest stage of the season. The final numbers tell the story: he went 4-for-5 at the plate, hit a double, drove in four runs, and ended up with six RBIs for the game.
The home run in the eighth frame sealed the win. The Red Sox were beaten, and the Yankees finally got their first big hit of the evening. That finish reflected why he has emerged as a breakout star this year.
The Rest of the Yankees
More than just one standout performance mattered. George Lombard Jr., who had never before tasted the postseason, showed the poise of a veteran at the plate, going 3-for-4 while driving in two runs. Austin Wells opened the scoring with an RBI single and later added a sacrifice fly during that eighth inning with the Rice grand slam, ending up with two RBIs despite going 2-for-3 at the plate.
The Yankees had 12 hits for the game compared to Boston’s three. Red Sox starter Payton Tolle lasted 4.2 innings, allowing five hits and one earned run. The Yankees’ bats crushed the Red Sox arms after that.
The Rivalry Factor
Schlittler’s feelings toward the Red Sox have never been concealed. He has a habit of needling the team online, and he has repeatedly proven those sentiments true through his work on the mound.
On Tuesday, he gave a dominant performance that defined the night, which is why he remains a frontrunner for the AL Cy Young Award. The shutout was a display of pitching excellence that set him apart.
What Comes Next
Wednesday night brings Game 2, and the Yankees will be looking to move past the Red Sox into the ALDS. There, they would meet a familiar rival from their own division: the Rays, who lead all of baseball in the American League. Max Fried is set to take the mound for New York in that contest.
In the Bronx, Boston faces another win-or-go-home situation, and this time it is sending Sonny Gray to start the game. Gray used to pitch for the Yankees, so he has a deep familiarity with both the ballpark and the hitters he will face.
The Big Picture
The Yankees made their point here. They proved they can come away with a victory even when Judge isn’t doing the heavy lifting, and they managed to do it against a club that once sat at the bottom of the American League standings this season.
This team has shown a toughness when their season is on the line. The Yankees have already demonstrated that they can hold their own against the top teams in the league, even without their biggest star available.
Key Facts Box
- Game: Yankees vs. Red Sox, Wild Card Series Game 1
- Score: Yankees win
- Pitcher: Cam Schlittler, 6.1 innings, 10 strikeouts, 0 runs, 2 hits, 1 walk
- Batter: Ben Rice, 4-for-5, 2 doubles, 6 RBIs, grand slam
- Hits: Yankees 12, Red Sox 3
- Next game: Game 2, Wednesday night
The Verdict
The Yankees won Game 1, and Schlittler and Rice deserve credit for leading the way. Schlittler’s shutout and Rice’s grand slam were the difference, and the rest of the lineup chipped in enough to make it a complete team effort.
The Yankees showed they have talent beyond Judge. Even when he is not available, they remain competitive and capable of winning on the biggest stage. The Red Sox will need to answer back in Game 2.
Game 2 will be a test for both teams. The Yankees have the momentum, but the Red Sox have the desperation. One thing is clear: the rivalry between these two franchises is alive and well.
Tuesday’s game showed the Yankees can manage the pressure. The question now is whether they can finish the job.
Source material: “Cam Schlittler and Ben Rice, Yankees’ own Massachusetts natives, crush Red Sox in Game 1 blowout,” Fox News.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.