Right-hander Cam Schlittler doesn't anticipate a warm welcome when he takes the mound for the New York Yankees' matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Saturday.
"I know they don't like us," Schlittler said when asked about the Blue Jays, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "The fans don't like us. The fans don't like me. So it'll be good to go out there and try to be locked in, try to give us a quality start and put us in a position to win games."
Schlittler still holds a grudge against the Blue Jays following the Yankees' struggles last season against their AL East counterparts. The 25-year-old's animosity also extends to Toronto's fanbase, after New York lost to the Jays in the American League Division Series.
"They're easy to rage-bait, I think," Schlittler said. "All the stuff last year in the playoffs or whatever it is, they've got a whole country behind them, so there's a lot. They're passionate about it. You respect them for that, but I don’t really like them. They ended our season last year. I hope everyone’s got that chip on their shoulder."
Schlittler found himself on the losing end in the decisive ALDS Game 4. He gave up four runs over six innings in a game where the Blue Jays relied on their bullpen. He admits the Yankees "kind of got our (butts) kicked" in the postseason, describing their playoff exit as "frustrating."
Schlittler has bounced back to begin his 2026 campaign. He enters Saturday leading the American League with a 1.87 ERA in 14 starts. His 0.87 WHIP ranks second in the majors behind Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski (0.74)
The Blue Jays bested Schlittler in their previous meeting on May 20 at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees will try to even their series in Toronto after sustaining a 8-5 loss in the opener Friday.
