New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler. Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Blue Jays chase Yankees star rookie from worst start of his career

By Jacob Mountz | Last updated Sep 5, 2025 10:48 PM ET

Prior to taking the mound on Friday, New York Yankees up-and-coming rookie starter Cam Schlittler was throwing to a 2.61 ERA on the year. This figure was bolstered by an excellent stretch over his past four starts that saw the 24-year-old righty give up a mere two runs, recording 30 strikeouts while only giving up 11 hits in 23.2 innings, per Stats Perform. However, on Friday, Schlittler’s amazing stretch came to an abrupt end.

In just 1.2 innings, Schlittler was chased having given up four earned runs on five hits, two walks and a hit batter, only accumulating two strikeouts, taking the loss against none other than their first-place division rival Toronto Blue Jays. Schlittler started the game with two quick strikeouts — his only two. He then allowed four hits, including a double from Bo Bichette, and a walk for a three-run first. A sacrifice fly off the bat of Bichette in the second ended his night.

Bo Bichette's broken-bat double gives the @BlueJays an early lead in the Bronx pic.twitter.com/rULdzZhyd0
— MLB (@MLB) September 5, 2025

This start, by far, was the worst of Schlittler’s young career. In 10 career starts, this is the first time he pitched fewer than 4.1 innings, surrendered more than three runs or recorded less than three strikeouts.

Blue Jays continue to dominate the Yankees

The Blue Jays have been a thorn in the Yankees’ side all year, winning eight of 11 games, including their win on Friday. If they have solved Schlittler, this would be a massive advantage for Toronto and a definite concern for New York should they meet in the postseason. It wasn’t the first time Schlittler has faced the Blue Jays. On July 22, his second career start, Schlittler pitched five innings against Toronto, giving up two runs.

He now owns a 3.24 ERA on the season with 56 strikeouts and an opponent batting average of .242 in 50 innings. If the Yankees are going to make it well into the postseason, their run of horrendous luck against their most formidable division rival will most likely need to end. And with both Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt on the IL, they will need Schlittler to remain dominant given their rotational uncertainties.

Jacob Mountz

Jacob Mountz is an avid baseball enthusiast and New York Yankee fanatic. His work covering the MLB has been featured on Yardbarker, Athlon Sports, FanSided, House That Hank Built and Medium. Jacob thoroughly enjoys Aaron Judge's moonshots and cheeseburgers of all sizes.

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