Cam Schlittler history, Aaron Judge ABS challenge put Yankees haters in their place

That's a 2-0 start for the New York Yankees! They captured Opening Night over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, and then "Opening Day" at Oracle Park on Friday. The finale will take place on Saturday followed by an ... off day on Sunday? Sure.

Cam Schlittler made his debut Friday after an impressive rookie campaign and kept the hype training rolling full speed ahead. He was on a 70-pitch limit but still managed to last 5 1/3 innings and strike out an astonishing eight batters. He was pulled at 68 pitches.

He completely squashed the previous injury concerns from spring training. The right-hander was slowed by a lat issue that surfaced last year and fans were wary due to the Yankees' not being forthcoming about it when the team reported to Tampa (Aaron Boone said everyone arrived to camp healthy with no lingering issues from 2025, which simply wasn't true).

Hopefully it's fully in the rearview because a Cy Young-caliber campaign is very much on the table if Schlittler can further harness his arsenal and continue dominating hitters like he's been. That cutter was unbelievable this afternoon.

But offering Schlittler in a possible trade package for Paul Skenes is egregious? Pipe down, Red Sox fans. Worry about your $60 million Kristian Campbell problem and hang out in the corner.

Cam Schlittler makes Yankees history, Aaron Judge's ABS challenge has haters ready to crumble

Schlittler was in a pitcher's duel with Giants lefty Robbie Ray before the Yankees pulled away. He needed to be perfect as Ray logged five scoreless himself up until Aaron Judge happened in the sixth inning. And the lovely new ABS system tipped the scales.

After a leadoff double from Paul Goldschmidt, Judge stepped into the batter's box and got ahead in the count 1-0. Ray's next offering was called a strike as his slider seemingly clipped the bottom of the zone. Not so fast, though. Judge, without hesitation, challenged the call, and it was overturned.

Ray's pitched missed the zone by 0.1 inches, which goes to show how much better Judge could be this year if he picks his spots efficiently with challenges. He eventually worked the count 3-0 before blasting a two-run homer after Ray battled back. That made it 2-0, and this one ended 3-0 after Stanton added a solo homer two batters later. Can't wait to hear every rival fan whining about Judge winning such a narrow challenge. Oh, nevermind, it's already happening.

Fernando Cruz, Tim Hill, Camilo Doval and David Bednar took the game to the finish line. Hill notched two strikeouts, Doval recorded three, and Bednar got the save. The Giants recorded just one hit and two walks.

Next up? Will Warren, the Yankees' best pitcher in spring training, taking on a flaccid Giants offense. And Ben Rice, Ryan McMahon and Trent Grisham will be back in the lineup Saturday. We smell a sweep.