The Subway Series opener had all the drama of a classic New York showdown, and at the center of it all was Cam Schlittler, who continues to pitch like a man on a mission. The Yankees' young ace delivered yet another masterful performance, this time against a familiar face: former Yankees closer Clay Holmes, now with the Mets. Schlittler's brilliance, combined with a decisive three-run third inning, powered the Bronx Bombers to a 5-2 victory in Queens.
Holmes entered the game with an impressive streak of allowing two earned runs or fewer in every start this season, but the Yankees' bats had other plans. With two outs in the third inning, the lineup suddenly came alive, spraying hits to right field. Ben Rice started the rally with a single, followed by Aaron Judge doing what he does best—getting on base. Cody Bellinger then ripped a double to right to plate the first run, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. kept the line moving with another double to make it 3-0 Yankees.
The Yankees threatened again in the fourth, but Holmes wiggled out of trouble. In the bottom half, Schlittler showed he's not just an arm—he's an athlete. After striking out Juan Soto, he made an incredible play off the mound to end the inning, a web gem that will surely be replayed on highlight reels all season. Soto, for his part, appeared to tweak his back during the at-bat, briefly sending a shiver through the Mets' dugout. He stayed in the game, but carrying a franchise on your shoulders can be a heavy load.
Holmes' night unraveled in the fifth when he walked Chisholm, marking the first time this season he failed to complete five innings. He exited after 4.1 frames, but the damage was already done—and not just on the scoreboard. A 111.1-mph rocket off the bat of Spencer Jones earlier in the game fractured Holmes' fibula. He initially tried to stay in, but postgame X-rays confirmed the worst for the Mets.
Jones greeted Mets reliever Austin Warren by ripping a hard-hit ball, adding an exclamation point to a night that belonged to the Yankees. With Schlittler dealing and the offense clicking, this Subway Series opener had all the makings of a statement win—and a reminder that in New York, baseball is always bigger than just one game.