“Clarke Schmidt: The Yankees’ Secret Weapon in Rotation Crisis?”
It was a mature performance, one clearly influenced by the lessons Schmidt has learned from Cole.
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“Throughout the years, I feel like I know my pitch package better,” Schmidt explained. “And you know, when I first went out there, when I was younger, it was like just going out there and trying to throw your best stuff. Now I’m reading swings, I’m learning, and it’s more pitch to pitch, and I’m just a lot more calm.”
After the 4-3 sweep-clinching win, as the Yankees packed their backs for a two-city road trip, Schmidt could be seen stuffing the club’s ornate player of the game championship belt into his duffel. Thirty feet away, Cole’s locker stood untouched, unoccupied. The ace won’t be back anytime soon, at least not on the mound.
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