The Yankees opened their three-game series against the Washington Nationals with a 10-5 win Monday as they started a soft spot of the schedule by handling business.
Takeaways
- Cam Schlittler is for real. The 24-year-old rookie, in his eighth start, followed this past Wednesday's career-best outing with a close second. Behind Schlittler (2-2, 2.76 ERA), who struck out eight and walked three while scattering four hits on 96 pitches (63 strikes) over six scoreless innings, the Yankees (71-60) handled the Nationals (53-78). On an inconsistent team, Schlittler has developed into a rock for the rotation and serious candidate to be in the mix this postseason as he progressively shows his top-of-the-line potential.
- The Yankees continue to lead MLB in home runs with 219 afterBen Rice, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jasson Domínguez mashed three more across the second, fifth and seventh innings. Among them, Chisholm's 25th of the season — a two-run shot that followed Sunday's two-homer game — is his new single-season career high. Chisholm has had his ups and downs, but he is showing glimpses of why Brian Cashman traded for him at last year's deadline while slashing .240/.335/.492 with 64 RBI through 99 games.
- Rice, meanwhile, launched his 21st of the year with a second-inning solo shot that doubled the Yankees' 1-0 lead to 2-0. He started at catcher and batted second. Especially as Austin Wells struggles, Rice — whose caught-stealing throw to second base for Josh Bell ended the fourth inning with runners at the corners — is flashing his ability at the plate and behind the dish. He is slashing .241/.339/.488 with 21 home runs and 48 RBI in 111 games.
- After losing three of their four games against the Boston Red Sox this past weekend, the Yankees need to pounce on a soft spot in the schedule. They get the Nationals at home through Wednesday before heading to the Chicago White Sox for a four-game series Thursday. New York has its questions about contending with teams above .500, but it can keep afloat by beating the lower-end opponents over this seven-game stretch — and should.
Who's the MVP?
Schlittler, whose six scoreless innings set the tone while the Yankees built an eventual 10-run cushion before the Nationals' five-run ninth inning.
Highlights
Cam Schlittler gets the pickoff! pic.twitter.com/Tdkarw2yEq
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) August 25, 2025
Ben Rice's 21st home run of the year 💪
It's also the longest home run of his MLB career! pic.twitter.com/Dond9HfOJR
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) August 25, 2025
Ben Rice throws out Josh Bell trying to steal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZhO9lxLnkh
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) August 26, 2025
Aaron Judge drops in an RBI double! pic.twitter.com/R7bK7gMLAC
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) August 26, 2025
JAZZ. CHISHOLM. JR.
His 25th home run of the year! pic.twitter.com/JhfCWY16so
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) August 26, 2025
Jasson Domínguez for three 👽 pic.twitter.com/7s2XGlP2b8
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) August 26, 2025
Whats next
Tuesday's 7:05 p.m. game at Yankee Stadium. New York RHP Luis Gil (1-1, 4.26 ERA) and Washington LHP MacKenzie Gore (5-12, 4.11 ERA) are set to start.
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