NEW YORK (AP) — Cam Schlittler was so dominant Friday night that even a member of the NBA champion New York Knicks thinks the tall right-hander is the top pitcher in the American League.Schlittler had the best regular-season outing of his brief career for the New York Yankees, striking out 13 in six overpowering innings and using three types of high-velocity fastballs in a 5-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.In his 30th major league start, the 6-foot-8 Schlittler eclipsed his previous career high of nine strikeouts. Against the Reds, he dominated in a way similar to the deciding Game 3 of last year’s AL Wild Card Series against the rival Boston Red Sox when he struck out 12 in eight innings.Two nights after throwing out a ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium along with Knicks teammate Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart posted on social media about Schlittler, saying: “Schlitty is the Cy Young winner hands down.”
“That’s a good thing to hear,” Schlittler said. “Josh is a great guy. I talked to him after the first playoff game. I’m pumped for him and the city of New York just being able to finish that off, and it’s great to have his support.”
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Schlittler (8-3) notched five strikeouts on his four-seam fastball that averaged 97.9 mph. The seventh-round draft pick had four strikeouts apiece on cutters and sinkers while throwing first-pitch strikes to 15 of 23 hitters after three straight winless starts.
