Cam Schlittler rolls on, Aaron Judge's ABS challenge contributes to Yankees' win

SAN FRANCISCO – About the only thing in Cam Schlittler’s way Friday afternoon was a strict pitch count.

“That’s how he left off last year,’’ said Yankees captain Aaron Judge, witness to the young right-hander’s “impressive’’ season debut in a 3-0 win – the Yanks’ second straight shutout against the Giants.

In a terrific rookie season, Schlittler authored the team’s most memorable start of 2025, a Division Series-clinching eight scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts to eliminate the Boston Red Sox.

“To get to the sixth inning’’ on 68 pitches Friday at Oracle Park “really set us up nicely,’’ said manager Aaron Boone, after four relievers followed Schlittler and finished a one-hitter.

According to the Associated Press, the Giants are the first team ever to be held scoreless and limited to five or fewer hits across the season’s first two games.

And per the Yankees’ captain, who belted his first homer of the year, Schlittler is “going to be big-time for us’’ in 2026.

“He’s got that 100-mph fastball, but he’s got a feel for his off-speed pitches, too.’’

Cam Schlittler on a strict early pitch count Mar 27, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Mar 27, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

That’s the stuff to dream on, all the way to October.

But the late-March reality is Schlittler needs protecting due to last year’s career-high workload and an early spring training bout of back stiffness that slowed his start.

“Nothing I could do about it,’’ said Schlittler, determined to “keep building’’ in hopes of reaching a 90-pitch threshold by his third or fourth start.

Meanwhile, the Giants’ lineup has looked lost across the season’s first 18 innings, with the heart of their order – Rafael Devers, Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee – going 1-for-22 with eight Ks.

Only a second-inning double by Heliot Ramos dented Schlittler’s line – with zero walks and eight strikeouts in 5.1 innings, flashing effective two-seamers, cutters and curveballs.

“Bullpen was electric (Friday) as well,’’ said Schlittler, with ex-Giant Camilo Doval’s scoreless eighth inning – with three strikeouts – a particularly encouraging effort.

“Really excited for Will (Warren) to get going (Saturday) and get the sweep.’’

Successful challenge benefits Aaron Judge Mar 27, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) gestures while rounding the bases after hitting a home run against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Mar 27, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) gestures while rounding the bases after hitting a home run against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

In the sixth inning of a scoreless game, new Giants manager Tony Vitello had a choice.

Maybe if Judge hadn’t started 2026 at 0-for-7, with five strikeouts, this might have been a spot to intentionally walk the Yankees captain.

Paul Goldschmidt led off with a double and up came Judge, with three career homers in 10 at-bats against Robbie Ray.

The Giants’ lefty retired Judge his first two times up, including a strikeout on a slider.

But this time, Judge helped turn the at-bat in his favor with his first ABS challenge – successfully leveraging the count to 2-and-0.

After fouling off one full-count fastball, Judge launched the next one for a two-run homer, just inside the left field foul pole.

Two batters later, Giancarlo Stanton’s first homer of the year made it 3-0.

“Having the challenge in your back pocket will be nice in certain situations,’’ said Judge. “For me, still, it’s got to be high leverage – a situation with guys on base where we can really change the game.’’

Judge said he would’ve settled for “a bloop single somewhere, get one run,’’ but was anyone really surprised at the outcome?

“I had no doubts he was going to do something like that,’’ said Schlittler.

Aaron Judge: “It takes one pitch” to change an AB

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