Oct 2, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) reacts after striking out a Boston Red Sox batter in the fifth inning during game three of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

New York Yankees rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler had a dominant game when it mattered most in a win-or-go-home matchup against the rival Boston Red Sox.

Schlittler threw 107 pitches over eight impressive innings, recording 12 strikeouts and allowing no walks or runs in the process. It was exactly what New York needed to eliminate their divisional foe from Boston to advance from the American League Wild Card Series to the AL Division Series against the Toronto Blue Jays in the postseason.

After the game, Schlittler posted on social media four words that should capture the attention of everyone in New England. He said "drinking dat dirty water" and while that may feel innocuous, it has a much deeper meaning.

"Dirty Water" is a 1965 song by The Standells written about the city of Boston, the Boston Harbor, and Charles River. It was a rally cry for many of the sports teams in the area.

In the NHL, the Boston Bruins have played it since 1995 and the Red Sox started playing it after victories beginning in 1997.

The Standells performed "Dirty Water" at Fenway Park before the 2004 MLB World Series and it was also included in the movie "Fever Pitch" about that season.

Schlittler, who is originally from Massachusetts and went to college nearby at Northeastern, knew all this. Here is more (via Gary Phillips):

"I’m not gonna get into it, but there’s a line and I think they crossed it a little bit. I’m a competitor, and I’m gonna go out there and make sure I shut ‘em down.

"You know Boston fans, that’s just how it is. We’re aggressive back home and we’re gonna try to get under people’s skin. They just picked the wrong guy to do it to and the wrong team to do it to."

He grew up a Red Sox fan and said that the victory felt "personal" for him.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Yankees rookie trolled Red Sox with 4 words that'll upset Boston fans

Reporting by Bryan Kalbrosky, For The Win / For The Win

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect