Cam Schlittler communicates with this former Yankees’ ace during games: ‘I’ve got to ask him a question’

When Cam Schlittler goes to the clubhouse between innings in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night, he might get a message from a former Yankees‘ ace.

Andy Pettitte, 54, and Schlittler, 25, have established a strong bond and Pettitte, who won five World Series with the Yankees, often checks in with the Yankees’ ace during games, as well as between starts.

“Sometimes during the outing, I’ll be like, ‘Hey,’ or I’ve got to ask him a question and see what he’s thinking, and I’ll do that,” Schlittler told Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. “I know that he loves that, just knowing that I’ve got faith in him and his opinions.”

Per The Athletic, Pettitte “watched all 3,041 pitches” from Schlittler this season as he authored a Cy Young-worthy campaign. Schlittler went 14-6 with a 1.95 ERA and 239 strikeouts.

“He texts me a lot after every start,” Schlittler said of Pettitte, per The Athletic. “He’s always supported me. He’s someone that I’ve been able to get along with really well and just express my feelings if I feel like I need to.”

Pettitte, who serves as a special advisor to Yankees GM Brian Cashman, works with other Yankees’ pitchers, too.

“I have come in storming mad after the inning and he’s very much like, ‘Breathe, calm down, you’re still in this, you’re in the game,'” Will Warren said.

The Yankees are sending Schlittler to the mound in a must-win Game 2 after they lost Game 1, 1-0, on Saturday in a game started by Gerrit Cole.

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They need Schlittler to dial up the 101-mph fastballs he had in Game 1 of the Wild Card series against the Red Sox, when he struck out 10 in 6 1/3 innings.

After tonight, either the series will be tied 1-1 heading back to Game 3 at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, when either Max Fried or Carlos Rodon will start, or they will be down 0-2 and on the brink of elimination.

Obviously, Pettitte and Schlittler hope it’s the former, but either way, the Yankees legend believes the young pitcher can be the team’s ace for many years to come.

“I do,” Pettitte said. “For one reason, he did it last year. He’s been there. He understands it. He had big moments last year. And then, of course, he’s great. He has great stuff. He’s a great pitcher. So, he’s got the makeup and he’s got the skills, and he’s been blessed with the ability to do it.”

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