{"id":648025,"date":"2026-03-28T04:52:31","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T04:52:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/648025\/"},"modified":"2026-03-28T04:52:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T04:52:31","slug":"cam-schlittler-rolls-on-aaron-judges-abs-challenge-contributes-to-yankees-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/648025\/","title":{"rendered":"Cam Schlittler rolls on, Aaron Judge’s ABS challenge contributes to Yankees’ win"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN FRANCISCO \u2013 About the only thing in Cam Schlittler\u2019s way Friday afternoon was a strict pitch count.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s how he left off last year,\u2019\u2019 said Yankees captain Aaron Judge, witness to the young right-hander\u2019s \u201cimpressive\u2019\u2019 season debut in a 3-0 win \u2013 the Yanks\u2019 second straight shutout against the Giants.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

In a terrific rookie season, Schlittler authored the team\u2019s most memorable start of 2025, a Division Series-clinching eight scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts to eliminate the Boston Red Sox.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo get to the sixth inning\u2019\u2019 on 68 pitches Friday at Oracle Park \u201creally set us up nicely,\u2019\u2019 said manager Aaron Boone, after four relievers followed Schlittler and finished a one-hitter.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s first two games.<\/p>\n

And per the Yankees\u2019 captain, who belted his first homer of the year, Schlittler is \u201cgoing to be big-time for us\u2019\u2019 in 2026.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s got that 100-mph fastball, but he\u2019s got a feel for his off-speed pitches, too.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Cam Schlittler on a strict early pitch count\"Mar<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the stuff to dream on, all the way to October.<\/p>\n

But the late-March reality is Schlittler needs protecting due to last year\u2019s career-high workload and an early spring training bout of back stiffness that slowed his start.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing I could do about it,\u2019\u2019 said Schlittler, determined to \u201ckeep building\u2019\u2019 in hopes of reaching a 90-pitch threshold by his third or fourth start.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Giants\u2019 lineup has looked lost across the season\u2019s first 18 innings, with the heart of their order \u2013 Rafael Devers, Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee \u2013 going 1-for-22 with eight Ks.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Only a second-inning double by Heliot Ramos dented Schlittler\u2019s line \u2013 with zero walks and eight strikeouts in 5.1 innings, flashing effective two-seamers, cutters and curveballs.<\/p>\n

\u201cBullpen was electric (Friday) as well,\u2019\u2019 said Schlittler, with ex-Giant Camilo Doval\u2019s scoreless eighth inning \u2013 with three strikeouts \u2013 a particularly encouraging effort.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally excited for Will (Warren) to get going (Saturday) and get the sweep.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Successful challenge benefits Aaron Judge\"Mar<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

In the sixth inning of a scoreless game, new Giants manager Tony Vitello had a choice.<\/p>\n

Maybe if Judge hadn\u2019t started 2026 at 0-for-7, with five strikeouts, this might have been a spot to intentionally walk the Yankees captain.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

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

The Giants\u2019 lefty retired Judge his first two times up, including a strikeout on a slider.<\/p>\n

But this time, Judge helped turn the at-bat in his favor with his first ABS challenge \u2013 successfully leveraging the count to 2-and-0.<\/p>\n

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

Two batters later, Giancarlo Stanton\u2019s first homer of the year made it 3-0.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving the challenge in your back pocket will be nice in certain situations,\u2019\u2019 said Judge. \u201cFor me, still, it\u2019s got to be high leverage \u2013 a situation with guys on base where we can really change the game.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Judge said he would\u2019ve settled for \u201ca bloop single somewhere, get one run,\u2019\u2019 but was anyone really surprised at the outcome?<\/p>\n

\u201cI had no doubts he was going to do something like that,\u2019\u2019 said Schlittler.<\/p>\n

Aaron Judge: “It takes one pitch” to change an AB<\/p>\n

1 \/ 11<\/p>\n

See best photos of Yankees vs Giants on Opening Day 2026<\/p>\n

Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

1 \/ 11<\/p>\n

See best photos of Yankees vs Giants on Opening Day 2026<\/p>\n

Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

2 \/ 11<\/p>\n

See best photos of Yankees vs Giants on Opening Day 2026<\/p>\n

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees reacts after a strike out against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

3 \/ 11<\/p>\n

See best photos of Yankees vs Giants on Opening Day 2026<\/p>\n

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: Max Fried #54 of the New York Yankees pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

4 \/ 11<\/p>\n

See best photos of Yankees vs Giants on Opening Day 2026<\/p>\n

Large San Francisco Giants championship rings are seen before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

5 \/ 11<\/p>\n

See best photos of Yankees vs Giants on Opening Day 2026<\/p>\n

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: Netflix Broadcaster and NFL Quarterback Jameis Winston interviews Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees before the game against the San Francisco Giants on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

6 \/ 11<\/p>\n

See best photos of Yankees vs Giants on Opening Day 2026<\/p>\n

A general view as a smoke flag fires during the national anthem before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

7 \/ 11<\/p>\n

See best photos of Yankees vs Giants on Opening Day 2026<\/p>\n

Mar 25, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) walks on the field before the start of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

8 \/ 11<\/p>\n

See best photos of Yankees vs Giants on Opening Day 2026<\/p>\n

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: A general view of a flag on the field as confetti and fireworks shoot off before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

9 \/ 11<\/p>\n

See best photos of Yankees vs Giants on Opening Day 2026<\/p>\n

Mar 25, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) walks on the field before the start of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

10 \/ 11<\/p>\n

See best photos of Yankees vs Giants on Opening Day 2026<\/p>\n

Mar 25, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) stands on the field before the start of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

11 \/ 11<\/p>\n

See best photos of Yankees vs Giants on Opening Day 2026<\/p>\n

New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger stands on the field before the start of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park.<\/p>\n

Nothing drew the ire of Yankees\u2019 Universe quite like the 6-foot-7 Yankees captain being called out on strikes below the knee.<\/p>\n

Despite using the ABS challenge a few times during exhibition play, Friday\u2019s first challenge felt \u201cweird\u2019\u2019 for Judge.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a hitter, I\u2019ve got to focus on hitting,\u2019\u2019 said Judge. \u201cIf it\u2019s a big spot, or I think I\u2019ve got a chance to flip the count, I\u2019m going to do it.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

\u201cIt takes one pitch, that\u2019s what we saw in that at-bat. Just another part of the game now. Hopefully we can execute and be elite at it.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Cam Schlittler rolls on, Aaron Judge’s ABS challenge contributes to Yankees’ win<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"SAN FRANCISCO \u2013 About the only thing in Cam Schlittler\u2019s way Friday afternoon was a strict pitch count.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":648026,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2408],"tags":[1797,106,5,48,20455,945,310,162,851,375,4,118,33018,863,1822,378,66,4343,4340,2099,4344,4341,4342,852,103,142],"class_list":["post-648025","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-francisco-giants","tag-aaron-boone","tag-aaron-judge","tag-baseball","tag-boston-red-sox","tag-cam-schlittler","tag-camilo-doval","tag-giancarlo-stanton","tag-giants","tag-heliot-ramos","tag-jung-hoo-lee","tag-mlb","tag-paul-goldschmidt","tag-pitch-count","tag-rafael-devers","tag-robbie-ray","tag-san-francisco","tag-san-francisco-giants","tag-sanfrancisco","tag-sanfranciscogiants","tag-scoreless-innings","tag-sf","tag-sf-giants","tag-sfgiants","tag-the-giants","tag-willy-adames","tag-yankees"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/116305015330577976","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/648025","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=648025"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/648025\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/648026"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=648025"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=648025"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=648025"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}