The Yankees leaned on Cam Schlittler after a wave of injuries leftaron Cole and Schmidt sidelined. Stroman was released, and Schlittler seized the moment with a 2.76/8-start pace, including six-scoreless vs Washington and a near-perfect outing against Tampa. The rookie’s 100-mph fastball and polished secondary stuff have steadied a rotation that looked shaky months earlier, turning a desperation move into a postseason-leaning asset for New York.

While regression figures loom (high strand rate, HR/9), Schlittler has delivered consistency—never allowing more than three earned runs in a start—and has become the likely No. 3 starter behind Fried and Rodón in the playoff push. The deadline shakeup also reshaped the bullpen with Bednar’s addition, underscoring how Chicago-like volatility can unlock a team’s depth in October.