Yankees Aaron Boone Explains Pitching Change After Game 1 Loss

Getty New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone walking onto the field during Game One of the 2024 World Series on October 25.

For MLB fans, Game One of the 2024 World Series didn’t disappoint. For fans of the New York Yankees, it was the exact opposite, with the Los Angeles Dodgers winning on a Freddie Freeman grand slam in extra innings.

In the bottom of the 10th inning, with Shohei Ohtani up to bat, Yankees manager Aaron Boone sent Nestor Cortes out to pitch. It was the veteran lefty’s first game action since September 18.

And while he did secure a fly out in his matchup with Ohtani, Cortes would go on to give up the 423-foot grand slam to Freeman after New York opted to intentionally walked Mookie Betts to load the bases.

Boone explained his decision to go to Cortes after the game when meeting with reporters.

“Just liked the matchup,” Boone said on October 25. “The reality is he’s been throwing the ball really well, the last few weeks, as he’s gotten ready for this. I knew with one out there, it’d be tough to double up Shohei (Ohtani), if Tim Hill gets him on the ground. And then Mookie behind him, that’s a tough matchup there. I felt convicted with Nestor in that spot.”

Boone and the Yankees will try and even the series in Game 2, scheduled for Saturday, October 26. First pitch is at 8:08 pm EST.

This story will be updated.