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The new pitch making Cam Schlittler even nastier

Ahead of the American League Wild Card Series opener, Boston hitters extensively practiced against high-velocity pitches using a specialized training device at Tropicana Field. The primary challenge for opponents is right-hander Cam Schlittler, the presumptive Cy Young winner who heavily relies on a trio of fastballs including four-seamers, sinkers, and cutters.

However, during his recent postseason outing against the Red Sox, the young ace heavily incorporated a newly sharpened curveball that reached an average speed of 85.8 mph.

In that dominant playoff performance, Schlittler threw 32 curves out of his 117 total pitches, surpassing his previous career high of 20 in a single game. The breaking ball generated eight whiffs from 16 swings and accounted for four of his 10 strikeouts.

This upgraded offering will be on display again when he takes the mound for Game 2 of the ALDS.

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