Cam Schlittler is ready for his first ever start against his hometown Boston Red Sox. On Thursday, he will take the mound at Yankee Stadium in the biggest start of his life as he hopes to eliminate the team he grew up rooting for.

Schlittler is a Walpole native who is the son of Needham Police Chief John Schlittler.

He's also a 6-foot-6 rookie right-handed pitcher who will start for the Yankees Thursday night in the decisive Game 3 of the American League Wild Card round of the postseason. The Red Sox will counter with fellow rookie Connelly Early , a 23-year-old who didn't even make his MLB debut until September 9.

Boston took Game 1 Tuesday behind a dominant performance by ace Garrett Crochet. The Yankees rebounded Wednesday by escaping with a 4-3 win to force Thursday's

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