Yankees Win Game 161 with Schlittler Dominance, AL East Race Tightens

Cam Schlittler emerged as a strong candidate for the New York Yankees' No. 3 starter in the postseason after delivering a career-best performance, pitching seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts in a 6-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees, tied with the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East, secured their seventh consecutive win and are assured of at least a wild card spot, with the division title to be decided on the season's final day. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton contributed key home runs, further bolstering the Yankees' offense, with Judge setting an MLB record with his 20th first-inning home run of the season. Manager Aaron Boone appears ready to rely on Schlittler in the playoffs, potentially starting him in a critical wild card game, while Luis Gil is also being auditioned for a starting role. The Yankees have built a strong pitching rotation behind Max Fried and Carlos Rodon, with Schlittler expected to play a pivotal role due to his impressive late-season performances. This combination of rising pitching talent and offensive firepower positions the Yankees as serious contenders to avenge their 2024 World Series loss.