The New York Yankees' pitching staff has maintained its dominant start to the 2026 season, with Cam Schlittler delivering another standout performance in a 5-3 win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night. Schlittler, a 25-year-old right-handed pitcher, pitched 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out seven batters. The Mariners' only runs came against the Yankees' bullpen, with Cal Raleigh and Dominic Carzone contributing key RBIs.
The Yankees' early-season success has placed them in rare company. Through their first six games, the team has allowed only six runs, the third-fewest in MLB history, trailing only the 2002 San Francisco Giants and the 1915 Philadelphia Phillies. Schlittler has been a key contributor, using a mix of a four-seam fastball, cutter, and sinker to overpower opposing hitters.
Schlittler's manager, Aaron Boone, praised his command and development. 'His calling card since he got in the organization was his ability to throw strikes with his fastball,' Boone said. 'As he’s gone to another level from a stuff standpoint, that’s really served him well.' Schlittler echoed Boone’s sentiment, noting his pitch selection strategy: 'Early on, it was the four-seam. Middle of the game, it was the two-seam. And then later on, it was the cutter.'
The Yankees have also been performing without key starters Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón, who remain on the injury list. Despite the absences, the team’s pitching staff has remained dominant, with the bullpen providing strong support. Schlittler acknowledged the team’s collective effort: 'I think this staff’s dominant. The bullpen’s been great as well. So, I think the team as a whole, (we're) just feeding off each other.'
Schlittler’s rise from a seventh-round draft pick with a low-90s fastball to a pitcher regularly touching 100 mph highlights his rapid development. His ability to command multiple pitch types has made him a critical asset for the Yankees as they aim to sustain their early-season success.