Yankees Edge Phillies 1-0 as Cam Schlittler Fans 12 for 10th Win

Q: What hidden tweak to Cam Schlittler's pitching arsenal completely neutralized the Phillies' biggest power hitters?

It was Schlittler’s increased use of the curveball. That subtle adjustment to his pitch mix was the hidden change that helped him neutralize Philadelphia’s biggest left-handed power threats, especially Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. Schlittler is typically fastball-heavy, but in this start he mixed in more curveballs than usual, giving the Phillies a different speed and shape to deal with alongside his upper-90s fastball. The added curveball worked because it prevented hitters from sitting on velocity. Schlittler still attacked with a four-seamer that averaged about 98.5 mph and touched 99.7, but the breaking ball changed eye levels and timing, making his fastball play even bigger. Phillies manager Don Mattingly pointed more broadly to that combination of velocity and command, saying Schlittler “bullies you a little bit with the fastball on both sides.” Against a Phillies lineup that has struggled against elite velocity, the expanded curveball usage gave Schlittler an extra weapon to keep Harper, Schwarber and the rest of the order off balance. The result was 12 strikeouts, no runs, and just three hits allowed by New York pitching all night.

3 articles · Updated · Pinstripe Alley · Jul 25

Cam Schlittler carried New York to a 1-0 series-opening win, striking out 12 over 7.1 innings and allowing two hits with no walks before exiting in the eighth.
His outing lowered his ERA to 2.07, and he mixed in his curveball more often against Philadelphia's left-handed core, generating whiffs while keeping Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper quiet.
Paul Goldschmidt supplied the Yankees' only run against Jesus Luzardo, who matched Schlittler for much of the night with seven innings, nine strikeouts and one walk.
Brent Headrick escaped an eighth-inning jam and David Bednar finished the Yankees' 10th shutout victory, helping New York keep pace despite another thin offensive showing.