When the Yankees and Red Sox square off in October, it's always appointment viewing. New York’s Game 1 win on Tuesday night was no different, even if a late surge enlarged the final score (9–0) and made it look like a laugher.
Cam Schlittler tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings and a career-high 117 pitches, racking up 10 strikeouts along the way, while only allowing two hits and a walk to utterly dominate a team he’s gotten used to beating. His ERA against his hometown team in Boston is now 0.47, the lowest by any pitcher against the Red Sox with at least five games started against them since 1913.
10 STRIKEOUTS FOR CAM SCHLITTLER
— MLB (@MLB) September 30, 2026
He gets through 6 scoreless innings on 107 pitches! pic.twitter.com/BNXRs5wrac
Only three balls left the infield against the Walpole, Mass. native. Schlittler, 25, became the youngest pitcher in postseason history with two scoreless starts with 10 or more strikeouts (both vs. Boston). Only five others have done it at any age: Justin Verlander (who did it three times), Sandy Koufax, Kevin Brown, Randy Johnson and Cliff Lee. Schlittler typically throws 89% fastballs, but he made use of his curveball like he never had before, throwing 32 curves and inducing eight whiffs on 16 swings on them while allowing just one hit (his last pitch of the game).
Ben Rice was the leader on offense for New York, going 4-for-5 with two home runs, six RBIs and 11 total bases. His grand slam in the eighth inning extended the Yankees’ lead to the final nine-run advantage.
BEN RICE GRAND SLAM
— MLB (@MLB) September 30, 2026
SECOND HOMER TONIGHT
YANKEES LEAD BOSTON 9-0! pic.twitter.com/T7VMWAIjp9
Red Sox rookie starter Payton Tolle did a fine job in his first career playoff start, allowing one run on five hits in 4 2/3 innings while striking out four, but it wasn’t enough with Schlittler opposing him.
