Cam Schlittler Lowers ERA to 1.95 as Aaron Boone Backs Starter for AL Cy Young and MVP

Key facts

On September 13, 2026, Cam Schlittler took the mound against the New York Mets in a high-profile interleague matchup and delivered one of his most effective starts of the season. Schlittler controlled the Mets' batting order throughout the afternoon, suppressing offensive production and reducing his season earned run average down to 1.95. The outing pushed his pitching metrics into elite territory, maintaining his place atop the American League statistical rankings.

Following the game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone addressed members of the media and framed Schlittler's impact within the broader context of the American League award races. While Schlittler's resume for the Cy Young Award—presented annually to the league's top pitcher—is widely viewed as compelling, Boone asserted that the starter’s contribution to the Yankees warrants serious consideration for the Most Valuable Player award as well. Boone highlighted that Schlittler's recurring ability to dominate opposing lineups and provide deep starts has been a driving force behind the team's overall success.

The timing of the outing comes during the final weeks of the 162-game regular season, a period when award narratives crystallize among voting members of the media. Schlittler's performance in a high-stakes local derby provided maximum visibility as award voters prepare their final end-of-season ballots.

Why it matters

Maintaining an ERA below 2.00 in the final weeks of a Major League Baseball season is a rare milestone that carries significant implications for both postseason play and award voting. For the Yankees, having an absolute front-line starter performing at a historical level gives the team a crucial strategic advantage heading into October. In short playoff series—where a premier starter can take the mound twice in a single round—an dominant pitcher significantly improves win probability and reduces strain on the bullpen.

From an institutional standpoint, Boone's advocacy places Schlittler in rare historical territory. Should Schlittler claim both the Cy Young and MVP awards, he would join an ultra-exclusive group of pitchers to achieve the dual honor in the same season. Winning either award carries major financial and contractual ramifications, including potential incentive bonuses, salary arbitration leverage, and elevated career recognition.

Furthermore, Schlittler's sub-2.00 ERA underscores the value of elite starting pitching in an era of baseball dominated by advanced offensive metrics and sophisticated run-creation models. Demonstrating that a single starter can consistently quiet top-tier lineups over the course of a full season reshapes discussions regarding how valuable a pitcher is compared to everyday position players.

The debate regarding whether pitchers should be eligible for or win Most Valuable Player awards has existed for decades. The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) created the Cy Young Award in 1956 to establish a dedicated honor for the game's outstanding pitcher, initially recognizing one overall winner across Major League Baseball before dividing the honor into separate American and National League categories in 1967. Despite the creation of a pitcher-specific award, official BBWAA rules explicitly maintain that pitchers remain eligible for Most Valuable Player voting in their respective leagues.

Historically, starting pitchers face a steep path toward winning an MVP. Because starters typically appear in 30 to 34 games per season—pitching every fifth day—many voters traditionally favor everyday position players who impact 150 or more games annually. To overcome this systemic preference, a pitcher generally must deliver a transcendent, historically dominant season that significantly exceeds rival position players in key metrics, such as Wins Above Replacement (WAR).

Only ten starting pitchers in Major League Baseball history have ever captured an MVP award. Notable modern winners include Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander, who swept the AL Cy Young and AL MVP awards in 2011 after recording a 24-5 record with a 2.40 ERA and 250 strikeouts, and Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, who won both National League honors in 2014 with a 21-3 record and a 1.77 ERA. Other starting pitchers who achieved the double include Roger Clemens (1986), Denny McLain (1968), and Don Newcombe (1956). Relievers Rollie Fingers (1981), Willie Hernandez (1984), and Dennis Eckersley (1992) also won MVP honors during exceptional relief campaigns.

Games in the New York market between the Yankees and Mets regularly serve as a spotlight for high-profile individual performances, amplifying player narratives across national sports media during critical junctures of the season.

Reaction

Manager Aaron Boone's postgame statements generated immediate discussion across major league media, setting the narrative tone for Schlittler's late-season awards push. Boone’s decision to explicitly champion Schlittler for the MVP award signals that the Yankees organization views their ace's performance as historically significant.

Within the clubhouse, teammates have consistently praised Schlittler's consistency and composure on the mound throughout the season. Opposing managers and hitters across the American League have also acknowledged the challenge presented by Schlittler's pitch arsenal and execution during his starts.

The formal resolution to the discussion rests with the 30 designated BBWAA voters in the American League. Each voter submits a ranked ten-player ballot for MVP and a five-player ballot for Cy Young prior to the commencement of postseason play.

What we don't know yet

Several variables remain unconfirmed as the regular season enters its final stretch. It is currently unknown how many total starts Schlittler will make before the conclusion of the regular season, and whether those remaining appearances will allow him to keep his ERA under the 2.00 mark. A single difficult start late in September can dramatically alter a pitcher's overall ERA.

Additionally, the complete picture of competing AL position player candidates remains to be finalized. If an everyday hitter puts together an exceptional final two weeks—such as reaching specific home run or WAR milestones—voters who lean toward position players for MVP consideration may coalesce behind that candidate.

Finally, it remains to be seen how manager Aaron Boone and the Yankees coaching staff will manage Schlittler's pitch counts and workload down the stretch to ensure he is fully rested for the upcoming postseason games.

What to watch

This account is based on original reporting by Jorge Castillo.