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Yankees Coach Hints at Playoff Roster Decision After White Sox Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Aug 31, 2025 11:27 AM ET

The New York Yankees own baseball's longest current winning streak at seven straight games, but it almost fell apart against the last-place Chicago White Sox on Saturday night.

Rookie starting pitcher Cam Schlittler delivered his third consecutive quality start, allowing one run in six innings along with eight strikeouts against one walk. The right-hander left with the game tied 1-1 before catcher Austin Wells smashed a 410-foot solo homer to right-center in the top of the seventh.

However, struggling reliever Devin Williams blew the lead on an RBI single by second baseman Chase Meidroth in the bottom frame to tie it at 2-2. Fast-forward to the bottom of the 10th, and the White Sox had the extra-inning baserunner on third with one out and the same score.

First baseman Lenyn Sosa hit a rocket to deep right field off of reliever David Bednar that would've won the game had it not been foul by a foot. The right-hander later struck him out before retiring shortstop Colson Montgomery on a lineout, narrowly escaping disaster.

The Yankees' offense then came alive in the top of the 11th, scoring three runs before right-hander Camilo Doval secured the save in the bottom frame. Now, they're just two games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East entering Sunday's slate.

Additionally, the game had New York pitching coach Matt Blake mulling over postseason pitching options, via The Athletic's Chris Kirschner.

“He has a pretty steady character,” he said about Schlittler. “I think the moment is not too big for him. He knows that he can pitch in the strike zone, which is a big part of it. I think that part of the game is important."

"When you get to the postseason, you’re probably facing teams that control the zone a little bit better, so you’re not going to get as much reckless chase in those lineups," he continued. "I think the fact that he can throw his fastball in the zone, and he does at a high rate, would give you a chance in the postseason.”

Cam Schlittler’s rise has been so fast that the Yankees would feel comfortable starting him in October.

“I think the moment is not too big for him. He knows that he can pitch in the strike zone, which is a big part of it.”https://t.co/KYkYKivLZz
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) August 31, 2025

Is Cam Schlittler Ready for Playoffs?

Schlittler made his big-league debut on July 9 and hardly dominated over three outings that month, going 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA. However, the 24-year-old is 1-1 with a 1.60 ERA over six starts in August, with 39 strikeouts against just 11 walks. It's the lowest ERA by a Yankees starter in August (minimum five starts) since club legend Ron Guidry in 1978, via Stathead's Katie Sharp.

Schlittler had 15 punchouts and nine free passes in July, which shows how much his control has improved in a short time span. The 6-foot-6-inch, 225-pounder also hasn't allowed more than three runs in a start and more than two in August.

There's still time for Schlittler (2.61 ERA) to lose his momentum before the playoffs, but he's been better than 2024 AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil, who's 2-1 with a 3.75 ERA over five starts since returning on August 3. Right-hander Will Warren also has a 4.30 ERA over 28 starts this season, although he does have a 2.84 mark in August.

At the very least, Schlittler is giving the Yankees something to think about with just a month left in the regular season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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