The elimination of the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees left a bitter taste in the organization, but it also revealed the respect that manager Alex Cora has for emerging talent
In his post-game comments, Cora referred to rookie Cam Schlittler as “perfect,” acknowledging that his team needed to be flawless to have any chance.
Cam Schlittler, the unexpected executioner
The young Yankees pitcher, a Massachusetts native and childhood Red Sox fan, put on a historic performance in his postseason debut. With a fastball that reached 100 mph and absolute control of the game, Schlittler pitched eight scoreless innings and struck out 12 batters. His dominance was such that Cora admitted that his hitters were completely overwhelmed by the rookie’s power and consistency.
Respect from the opposing dugout
Far from making excuses, Cora used his words to praise Schlittler‘s performance
We had to be perfect, because he was perfect
This type of recognition is not common in knockout scenarios, which further highlights the magnitude of what the young pitcher has achieved.
A closing message with a vision for the future
Although the season is over for Boston, Cora also took the opportunity to highlight the growth of his team throughout the year. Despite the pain of elimination, the manager expressed that the effort and evolution shown by his players will be key for the 2026 campaign. The duel against Schlittler thus becomes a lesson and a motivation for what is to come.
Yankees-Red Sox rivalry more alive than ever
This postseason clash between the Yankees and Red Sox reignited one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries. The emergence of young figures such as Schlittler adds a new dimension to the classic, and Cora’s words reflect that, although the battle was lost, respect for the game and its protagonists remains intact.
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