It's hard to discuss Cam Schlittler without bursting into tears. Guy's an angel from heaven, an emissary from God, a living saint from Weymouth, MA, the heart of Redsock Country. Every time he fans a batter, somewhere, a Boston fan throws up.
Where would we be without him? Probably 2nd place in the hot mess AL East, which is - well - where we are. But instead of being two behind Tampa, we'd be seven back, fighting off hateful Toronto. And every 5th day, our listed starter would be "TBD," if not Jake Bird.
Yesterday, we discussed how Ben Rice has saved the Yankee offense. Today, let's go even further, some felony-grade, juju blaspheme. (Yes, I certainly fear sparking juju god retaliation, but as a teller of truth and sayer of sooth, I have no choice but to continue. Also, I should add that I recently aced my regular cognitive exam, amazing the doctors with my ability to identify a squirrel.) So here goes...
The Yankees - despite their system-draining deadline trades - have baseball's best young hitter and best young pitcher.
There. I said it. Whatever happens, it's on me. Because in all of American sports, there is nothing more freakishly fragile than a young pitcher's arm, and I just put a target on the Yankees' best hope. Dare we believe that Schlittler can last the regular season and still be bringing it in October? In this modern era, how many young pitchers do such a thing?
In February, Schlittler turned 25. Last year, combining MLB and the minors, he threw 149 innings. This year, he's thrown 72, which puts him on a trajectory to surpass 200. That should make us nervous, but the reality is that nobody in baseball knows how to handle a dominating young workhorse like Schlittler, and Boonie is gonna do what Boonie always does: Climb aboard the horse and ride until it fails.
As of today, Schlittler ranks 5th in innings, 3rd in wins and 5th in strikeouts, with the best ERA in the AL. He would start the All-Star Game, if the Yankees let him. (They should not.)
If the season ended today, the Yankees would make the expanded playoffs - MLB's version of little league participation trophies. Schlittler would start game one of the wild card series. After 200 innings, he would face this schedule.
Gerrit Cole would start game two. (Actually, if he keeps pitching like he has been, Cole could do game one.) Then it's Max Fried or Carlos Rodon, with Will Warren and Ryan Weathers going into the bullpen.
The Yankees have gotten used to Cam Schlittler throwing a quality start every 5th day. But they better ease up on the pedal. When the angel flies down from heaven, you ought not ruin him.
Tonight, he stars against Cleveland. Godspeed.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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10 comments:
Thank you, E.D.
You just gave me an idea for today’s game thread.
And if by any chance you ever wondered if raccoons will eat wild turkey eggs - the answer is yes.
Thank god for our lights-out bullpen. We're going to win it all. That, and consistent clutch hitting.
Without video documentation, it didn't happen.
How did the eggs get in the bottle?
I’d share the video but I fear for the mental health of those who watch it
It’s been a long time since a NY team has shown Cleveland who’s BOSS
I do so like the young man's arm
I do so like it, Cam I Am
That's hilarious, Duque. Yes, I know that cognitive test. It means you have reached the level of a dog!
"When the angel woos the clay he'd lose/ His wings at the dawn of day." Or something like that. Hey, I didn't write it!
Yes, they should be careful with him, especially after the All-Star break.
Had the Mets game on in the background while I was working last night. They were playing the Mariners, who have a frightening number of good young arms. That would be our fate: get to the ALCS and get by Seattle. Just sayin'!
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