New York Yankees ace Cam Schlittler is continuing to use online hate directed at him from Boston Red Sox fans as motivation before starting Tuesday's Game 1 of their wild-card series.
"I wouldn't say I'm always on my phone looking for that stuff," Schlittler said Monday, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. "At the same time, I don't really live under a rock as well, so I find ways to use that to my advantage. I think I'm good at keeping receipts, and at the end of the day, I'm locked in to go in there tomorrow and do my job."
Schlittler added that he's gotten used to fans going after him on social media since delivering a masterful 12-strikeout performance in last year's playoffs against the Red Sox.
"I leave my comments on," Schlittler said Friday, per Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. "I let people say whatever they want to say in there. I don't hide any of that."
The 25-year-old is poised to win his first Cy Young after finishing with an AL-best 1.95 ERA - the third-lowest mark for a qualified pitcher in Yankees history.
"You've got plenty of people that are hating on me and the season I've had," Schlittler said. "At the end of the day, it doesn't really bother me. I still go out there and do my job every five or six days."
Schlittler also acknowledged that the reception he gets from Red Sox supporters doesn't stack up against the weight of pitching in the Bronx.
"There's nothing better than playing in New York," the right-hander said. "The stuff online is really nothing compared to the pressure you have being a Yankee."
Boston will counter with rookie left-hander Payton Tolle for the series opener.
