The New York Yankees‘ 2024 World Series campaign ended in disappointment, culminating in a 4-1 series defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers. A pivotal moment occurred in Game 1 when Freddie Freeman’s historic walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning secured a Dodgers victory, setting the tone for the series. This outcome has led to intense scrutiny of the Yankees’ pitching decisions, particularly the choice to bring in Nestor Cortes during that critical inning.
Giolito questions Yankees’ decision to use Nestor Cortes in the 10th inning
In an interview released Thursday morning on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast, Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito discussed the Yankees’ decision to summon Cortes, who was returning from a lengthy injury absence. “I thought it was a recipe for disaster,” Giolito told host Rob Bradford. He was initially relieved when he saw Tim Hill, a left-handed reliever with a solid postseason record, warming up in the bullpen. But his relief turned to surprise when Aaron Boone decided to use Cortes instead. “What the hell is going on?” Giolito recalled thinking as he watched the Yankees make the switch.
Cortes had not pitched since September due to an elbow injury, raising questions about his readiness for such a high-stakes appearance. “You’re going to bring him into this situation?” Giolito questioned, expressing concern about the challenges facing a starting pitcher in a pressure-filled, late-game scenario. The Yankees’ choice was especially bold considering Cortes’ recent track record and the timing of his return.
Yankees’ decision draws mixed reactions
Despite some criticism, the Yankees had their reasons for the move. Tim Hill, while reliable, had faced challenges in the playoffs, allowing three runs in Game 1 of the ALCS before bouncing back with four consecutive scoreless outings. Boone’s decision to bypass Hill, however, puzzled both fans and analysts, as Hill was coming off a recent appearance, while Cortes had been sidelined for five weeks. The situation was intense: the Yankees were clinging to a 3-2 lead with one out, and the heart of the Dodgers’ lineup — Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freeman — was up next.
Nestor Cortes initially showed promise, retiring Ohtani with the help of a stellar catch by Alex Verdugo over the left-field rail. But things unraveled quickly when Boone intentionally walked Betts, setting up Freeman with two runners on. On the first pitch, Freeman crushed a home run into the right-field seats, ending the game and leaving the Yankees’ bullpen decisions under heavy scrutiny.
Reflecting on the game, Giolito found the decision to use Cortes in this scenario to be “insane.” He acknowledged that the Yankees’ intentions might have been logical at the time. “If he had gotten out of it, we wouldn’t even be talking about it,” Giolito remarked, hinting at the unpredictable nature of postseason baseball.
Ironically, just a week later, Yankees fans were already calling for the team to part ways with Nestor Cortes. On the other hand, Freeman’s walk-off grand slam will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the series and a reminder of the consequences of bold pitching decisions.
At the end of the day, Red Sox player or not, Giolito was one of many voices critical of the Yankees’ strategy in the World Series.
As the Yankees reflect on their World Series performance, the spotlight on their bullpen strategy will likely remain intense.
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