(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees starting rotation has been average this American League Division Series (ALDS) against the Kansas City Royals. Both Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon barely lasted five innings due to shaky command and improper execution, leading to the implosion of runs conceded.

When two of your top starting pitchers succumb to pressure, the next one will definitely enter the game under pressure. The Game 3 of ALDS will take place at Kauffman Stadium and Clarke Schmidt is scheduled to start. Despite the pressure, Schmidt is ready, confident, and calm to perform as per preset expectations.

Clarke Schmidt Feels Different And Better Ahead Of ALDS Start

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With Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon letting down in the first two games of the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals, Clarke Schmidt is ready to take on the Game 3 challenge. Schmidt is poised to make a significant impact in his second postseason appearance. His previous playoff outing in 2022 was challenging, as he went 0-2 with an 11.57 ERA over just 2.1 innings. However, Schmidt feels he has evolved both as a player and a person since then, attributing his growth to a better understanding of his pitching identity and improved comfort on the mound. Interestingly, this season has been a breakout for Clarke Schmidt, who posted an impressive 2.85 ERA in 16 starts despite missing time due to injury.

In a pre-game interview with reporters, Clarke Schmidt admitted that his focus is to not let the pressure of postseason baseball overwhelm him. “I feel very calm and very confident,” the pitcher said. Notably, Schmidt’s refined pitch mix, including a much-improved cutter and other effective offerings, positions him well for success against seasoned hitters. One interesting storyline is Schmidt’s familiarity with Yuli Gurriel, who hit a critical home run off him in their last postseason matchup. Gurriel has had a strong series, and Schmidt acknowledges the challenge he poses, but he is eager for a rematch. Meanwhile, Yankees manager Aaron Boone has expressed confidence in Schmidt’s readiness for this crucial playoff moment, highlighting that the stakes are high in every postseason game. Schmidt’s ability to leverage his experiences and maintain composure will be vital as the Yankees look to advance in the postseason.

Yankees Hoping To Neutralise Bobby Witt Jr Threat

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AL-MVP candidate, Bobby Witt Jr. has had a rough start in the ALDS against the New York Yankees, failing to record a hit in his first 10 at-bats and striking out four times. Notably, This performance contrasts sharply with his impressive postseason debut, where he delivered game-winning hits in his first two games against the Baltimore Orioles during Wild Card series.

Meanwhile, Aaron Boone noted the New York Yankees’ disciplined approach in dealing with Witt, acknowledging that while they have succeeded so far, the young shortstop’s talent means he can turn things around quickly. Witt has historically performed well against the Yankees, with an OPS of .864 in regular-season. However, his current OPS against Yanks pitchers stands at just .494​.