New York sports fandom got a pretty funny crossover moment when Knicks star Josh Hart went all-in on Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler.
Hart, who helped power the Knicks to the 2026 NBA Championship in June, has never been shy about his Yankees loyalty. After watching Schlittler carve up the Red Sox, he took his praise to another level, comparing the pitcher to Jesus and joking that Schlittler might be the “left hand” of God.
It was the kind of over-the-top compliment that only makes sense when a player has earned it, and Schlittler absolutely did that in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series. The Yankees right-hander shut down Boston for 6.1 scoreless innings, struck out 10, and helped New York eliminate the Red Sox for the second straight year.
That outing fit right in with what Schlittler has done all season. In his second MLB campaign, he posted a 1.95 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP over 33 starts, went 14-6, and moved into the conversation as one of the favorites for the 2026 American League Cy Young Award.
Hart has been showing his Yankees support in more ways than one, too. He threw out the ceremonial first pitch when New York hosted the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 25, adding another connection between the Knicks guard and his favorite baseball team.
Now the Yankees move on to the ALDS, where they’ll face the division-winning Tampa Bay Rays in a best-of-five series. Game 1 is set for Saturday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
That matchup won’t be easy for New York. The Yankees went 6-7 against Tampa Bay during the regular season and lost the season series, with only two of their wins coming at the Rays’ ballpark.
Still, with Schlittler dealing and Hart cheering from the side, the Yankees have at least one thing going for them: a young pitcher who’s making a serious case for postseason stardom, and a Knicks star who’s clearly ready to keep the praise coming.
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