Cam Schlittler's latest ace performance vs. Rays was fueled by familiar bait

The Yankees needed a stopper in the worst way on Monday night in Tampa. Take the amount you believe they needed a stopper and double it. It was dire. It was post-teeter. It was hilarious to realize, "Oh my god, we fought through a Fenway four-gamer, got slaughtered, never recovered, and now we have this." And Cam Schlitler did the job, steadying a no-wheeled truck in a hostile environment against a first place team for at least one night.

Last October, Schlittler made it very clear that his Game 3 start against the Red Sox was personal, after he was harassed by a certain segment of the Boston fan base that couldn't possibly believe his Massachusetts parents loved him enough to root for him. On Monday, Schlittler proved that the motivation doesn't even have to be that deep; like most truly great athletes, he's extremely good at creating chips on his shoulder.

Nothing is more annoying than rooting against someone like this, who can manufacture disrespect on a dime.

And nothing is more satisfying than rooting for someone like Schlittler, who can be trusted to deliver and will do it with an edge - aimed directly at the people who bother and needle his fans the most. This time around, Schlittler made it clear he was successfully rage baited by the silliest "ironic" Twitter graphic of all time, which claimed regression was nigh and the righty isn't as good "as he thinks he is". Unfortunately for those involved, Schlittler is trigger by the same things most Yankee fans are, but he's a much better pitcher.

Cam Schlittler found his revenge narrative at the perfect time for Yankees, heading into All-Star start?

Far more important than tossing a sardonic "regression" comment back in the face of someone who Schlittler will probably come face-to-face with at All-Star media day, the flamethrowing righty got the Yankees the kind of win fans fantasized about in the opener. Genuinely, even one win in a four-game set felt like too significant a hurdle to climb - and, like the Fenway series, if Schlittler didn't grab it, who would?

His next start will be Saturday in Washington vs. the Nationals, which more than likely means he'll get the ball in the All-Star Game in Philadelphia for an inning on his throw day. The Schlitt Show was due for a national stage. The only question remaining is how he'll manufacture his trademark sneer for an exhibition. Cheesesteak vendor left a few onions on the grill? Liberty Bell line too long? Ben Franklin impersonator gave his mom the side eye? Can't wait to find out.

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