Clarke Schmidt faced off against his former teammate Michael King on Tuesday night, marking King’s return to the Bronx, this time donning a San Diego Padres uniform. The matchup was part of a three-game series against the Yankees, the team where King made his major league debut.
King delivered a commendable performance, allowing two runs in six innings. Schmidt, reflecting on the experience, noted, “Just being able to compete with him, play with him, was a lot of fun. Hopefully somewhere down the line we can reunite.” He likened it to a sibling rivalry, emphasizing the camaraderie and competitive spirit they shared.
King previously spent three years in the Yankees’ bullpen before being traded to the Padres, where he has transitioned into a starting role. After battling through an elbow fracture and undergoing season-ending surgery in 2022, King has rebounded strongly, boasting a 2.95 ERA over 173.2 innings across 33 starts in 2024. So far this season, he has maintained an impressive 2.22 ERA along with 48 strikeouts over his first eight starts.
The Yankees, following their commanding 12-3 victory in this game, are currently listed at +900 to win the World Series, reflecting their competitive potential for the remainder of the season. This matchup was not only a test of skill but an affirmation of the strong relationships and shared history among players, underscoring the community aspect of baseball.