Cam Schlittler has emerged as a standout pitcher for the New York Yankees this season, using criticism from rival fans as motivation on the mound. The 25-year-old right-hander, who grew up in Walpole, Massachusetts—a suburb near Boston—and once rooted for the Red Sox, has cultivated a reputation for channeling negativity into performance, becoming one of the American League’s early Cy Young Award contenders.

Schlittler’s competitive edge was on display as recently as July 6 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he limited the Tampa Bay Rays to one run over eight innings. This strong performance came shortly after a difficult outing on June 30 against the Detroit Tigers, which drew pointed criticism from Boston Red Sox fan and podcast host Jared Carrabis. Before the July 6 game, the Yankees’ director of organizational performance, Chad Bohling, showed Schlittler a clip from Carrabis’s “Baseball Is Dead” podcast warning of Schlittler’s regression. The Yankees knew the pitcher would respond positively to such provocation.

“That was pretty easy to go out there and perform,” Schlittler said of the motivation derived from the clip, noting that the criticism added fuel to his focus. Through the season’s first half, Schlittler has compiled a 2.20 earned run average, the best in the American League, and significantly lowered his walk rate following an off-season dedicated to improving his command.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone and teammates recognize Schlittler’s fiery mindset. Boone said the coaching staff understands that Schlittler thrives when challenged, while teammate Jazz Chisholm Jr. noted that external criticism can be transformed into productive motivation. “You’ve got to hold it and find a way to make that your fire,” Chisholm said.

Navigating the intense New York market has posed no trouble for Schlittler. He acknowledged the added pressure but welcomed the high standards. “We’ve seen a lot of guys come here and try to play, and they can’t do it,” he said. “It’s my first full year, though. I’m confident it will work out.”

Yet Schlittler’s relationship with Boston’s fan base has become notably contentious. Despite his Massachusetts roots, he has developed into one of the Red Sox fans’ favored adversaries, partly due to his straightforward comments and social media jabs after recent matchups. The rivalry traces back to last year’s postseason, when Schlittler pitched a 12-strikeout, scoreless game against Boston. Afterward, he revealed that his family had been subjected to personal attacks online, reinforcing his resolve.

Schlittler dismissed criticism from Red Sox supporters who question his right to taunt them. “They can say whatever they want, but they’re not really in a position to be talking, considering how the standings are,” he said. He added that only Toronto Blue Jays fans, whose team ousted the Yankees last year, have valid grounds to criticize New York.

Not everyone sees Schlittler’s hostility as genuine. Carrabis, whose podcast clip was a catalyst for Schlittler’s latest strong start, characterized the pitcher’s antagonism toward Boston as performative and questioned his association with the city. “People from Boston hate when you say that you’re from Boston and you’re from an hour away,” Carrabis said. “He’s from Walpole. You can’t say you’re from Boston when you’re from Walpole.”

Carrabis suggested Schlittler’s disdain for Boston fans is less about rivalry and more about feeling rejected by the hometown support he once enjoyed. “He feels rejected by the fan base that he grew up a part of, and now he’s trying to go all-in with the Yankee thing,” Carrabis said.

Whether genuine or strategic, the antagonism appears to fuel Schlittler’s competitive fire. “This year, I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job of ignoring people online, but I’ve also been able to back it up, too,” he said. “If I want to say something, I can, because I’ve backed it up.” As Schlittler’s rookie season unfolds, his performance on the mound continues to validate his mindset and his place among baseball’s emerging stars.