Massachusetts kids Cam Schlittler and Ben Rice doom Red Sox in Yankees' 9-0 Game 1 win

This game began and ended with Schlittler, regardless of when he actually walked off the mound. The Weymouth, Massachusetts native was utterly dominant, as he has been all season and has he has been whenever he steps onto the mound against the Red Sox. The right-hander allowed just two hits in 6.1 innings while striking out 10 and walking one. That lowered his career ERA against the Red Sox to 0.47 and made him the second pitcher in baseball history to make multiple postseason starts against the Red Sox and strike out 10 batters twice. Bob Gibson is the only other pitcher who can say that.

More than that, this performance made Schlittler the fourth pitcher in postseason history with two 10+ strikeout games before turning 26, joining Trey Yesavage (2025), Josh Beckett (2003), and Jim Palmer (1970-71). It also gave Schlittler two scoreless postseason outings with 10+ strikeouts, which put him in elite company.

Schlittler's performance overshadowed a solid outing on the other end from Payton Tolle , who allowed one run on five hits in 4.2 innings, while striking out four and walking one.