Cam Schlittler facing Red Sox in playoffs couldnt be more different this time as he builds Yankees legacy

Cam Schlittler had made 14 major league starts before taking the ball in Game 3 of last year’s wild-card series against the Red Sox in The Bronx. “I thought [the Yankees] were in trouble when they lost the first game of that series,’’ an American League scout said Monday.“I didn’t know yet that Cam Schlittler was Cam Schlittler.”  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.

Now, it’s no secret. And instead of asking the right-hander to save their season, as they did in 2025, the Yankees are looking for Schlittler to get them out of the gate fast. It’s why the 25-year-old, who is certain to win his first AL Cy Young Award this offseason, was tabbed to pitch Tuesday night’s opener at the Stadium by Aaron Boone and the pitching department. “For him to put faith in me to go out there and put a good performance in in Game 1, that’s definitely a great feeling,’’ Schlittler said before the Yankees worked out in The Bronx on Monday. In that decisive Game 3 against Boston, Schlittler tossed eight shutout innings — striking out 12 and walking none — to knock off the Red Sox. He wasn’t as dominant against the Blue Jays in the ALDS, but that was before Schlittler established himself as one of the top pitchers in the game. And the Walpole, Mass., native will be facing his hometown Red Sox, a franchise — and fanbase — he’s developed a long history with. He hasn’t shied away from all aspects of the rivalry — both good and bad — in this age of social media. Last year, Schlittler said he was disappointed by how some Red Sox fans went after not only him but his family during the postseason, calling it “personal.” This time around, Schlittler said he knows what to expect. “I wouldn’t say I’m always on my phone looking for that stuff,’’ Schlittler said.“At the same time, I don’t really live under a rock.

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