New York Yankees bullpen collapse

Gerrit Cole has a big name. Carlos Rodón has a lot of money. But perhaps no starter has been as reliable for the Yankees this season as Clarke Schmidt, the right-hander who will start Game 3 at Yankee Stadium.

The 28-year-old was 5-5 with a 2.85 ERA this season. He made 16 starts but missed significant time due to a right lat strain. In each of his two games this postseason, Clarke went 4 2/3 innings and gave up two earned runs.

Against the Dodgers, Clarke will unleash his masterful repertoire. He added the pitch before the 2023 season and focused last winter on creating more even separation between his cutter and sweeper.

“Last year was the first full year throwing the cutter,” Schmidt said. “There were a lot of growing pains with that. I think there were times in the year when it was really, really good, and then over the course of 32 starts you kind of lost the feel for it, and maybe you lose the feel for the other pitches.”

The results of his offseason efforts speak for themselves. The whiff rate on Schmidt's cutter increased from 22.2 percent to 32.2 percent this year. Against his sweeper, opponents hit just .210 with a whiff rate of 29.7 percent. There's a powerful curveball in his back pocket. He lives on the outside corner off righties and attacks lefties with his sinker and cutter on opposite sides of the plate.

Schmidt has played in the major leagues for five seasons, but this is only his second full year as a starter. He has never played against the Dodgers before. This is quite an introduction to the national scene.

“Of course it was a great playoff for all teams and many games were played at a high level,” said Schmidt. “And I think that’s a credit to hyperfocus. When you’re in those situations and playing in that atmosphere, it can take your game to a new level if you let it.”