The New York Yankees’ secret weapon is no longer a secret.
Rookie starter Cam Schlittler, who helped drive New York’s resurgence in September, got the ball in Game 3 and delivered a start that will live in Yankees lore, striking out 12 batters in a win-or-go-home game against the Boston Red Sox.
Two days after Aaron Boone received criticism for pulling Max Fried in the seventh inning, a decision that preceded a blown lead and narrow Game 1 loss, Boone rewarded his 24-year-old starter by sending him back out for the eighth inning at 100 pitches.
The decision showed what kind of confidence the Yankees have in their young arm who was still in the minor leagues just three short months ago.
Here’s a look at Schlittler’s dominant Game 3 start, by the numbers.
MORE: Where is Cam Schlittler from?
Most strikeouts by a rookie in a playoff game
Schlittler’s 12 strikeouts rank fourth in MLB history by a rookie in a postseason game. He would have needed two more to crack the top three.
| Pitcher | Ks | Team | Opponent | Year |
| Livan Hernandez | 15 | Marlins | Braves | 1997 |
| Mike Boddicker | 14 | Orioles | White Sox | 1983 |
| John Candelaria | 14 | Pirates | Reds | 1975 |
| Cam Schlittler | 12 | Yankees | Red Sox | 2025 |
| Don Newcombe | 11 | Dodgers | Yankees | 1949 |
| Tim Belcher | 10 | Dodgers | Mets | 1988 |
| Dave Righetti | 10 | Yankees | Brewers | 1981 |
Livan Hernandez tossed a 15-strikeout complete game for the Marlins in the NLCS as part of a run that brought a championship to South Florida.
While Schlittler didn’t reach that mark, he became the first rookie since Hernandez to record at least 10 strikeouts in a postseason game. No other rookie had reached double-digits in the 21st century before Schlittler, who carved up Boston’s lineup with the Yankees’ season on the line.
MORE: Inside Aaron Judge’s career postseason stats
Cam Schlittler Game 3 start, by the numbers
Schlittler made all kinds of history in Game 3, tossing eight shutout innings with five hits, no walks allowed and 12 strikeouts.
The 24-year-old set a new record for most strikeouts by a Yankees starter in his playoff debut, beating the previous record by two.
Schlittler also became the first pitcher in MLB history — not just the first rookie — to record at least 12 strikeouts in a winner-take-all game. Before Schlittler, no rookie had ever even reached eight strikeouts in a winner-take-all game.
Schlittler is the first pitcher to ever record a postseason start with eight shutout innings, no walks and at least 12 strikeouts. Only Hall of Famer Tom Seaver has tossed eight innings with no walks and at least 12 strikeouts in a postseason game, but he allowed two runs in his 1973 start.
For Schlittler, a performance like this was a first. The Yankees starter was excellent down the stretch, but he had never notched double-digit strikeouts in any game at any level before Thursday night.
This is Cam Schlittler’s first game with double-digit strikeouts … at any professional level.
He didn’t reach 10+ K’s in any start in the Rookie, Single-A, High-A, Double-A or Triple-A levels.
He’s done it now in the postseason in an elimination game at Yankee Stadium.
— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) October 3, 2025
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Cam Schlittler highlights vs. Red Sox
Cam Schlittler’s 12th K. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Hl6gK35QUn
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 3, 2025
Cam Schlittler’s 4th and 5th Ks…
Thru 3 pic.twitter.com/S8pvJMPQOM
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 3, 2025
Cam Schlittler’s 3Ks in the 5th. ⛽️
8Ks thru 5. pic.twitter.com/UgCb1IStXx
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 3, 2025
Cam Schlittler’s 11th K on his 100th Pitch.
70% Strikes.
Ace. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/4X1A3WsauQ
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 3, 2025
