Aaron Boone, Derek Jeter

As decided by Aaron Boone, Gerrit Cole, the New York Yankees ace, took the mound for Game 1 of the 2024 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers. As a reigning AL CY Young pitcher, Cole has had a decent run in the postseason with a 3.40 ERA in three starts.

However, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone’s dubious decisions turned Cole’s stunning outing into a heartbreaking 6-3 loss. He not only fumbled Gerrit Cole but also messed up with closing options as Freddie Freeman sealed the game for Dodgers with a walk off grand slam.

Derek Jeter Fears Negative Domino Effect For Yankees In World Series

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

After the New York Yankees lost Game 1 of the 2024 World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, former Yankees captain, and Fox analyst Derek Jeter expressed strong criticism of Aaron Boone’s decision to pull ace Gerrit Cole after only 88 pitches. Jeter, who watched Cole hold the Dodgers to a single run on four hits, questioned why Aaron Boone opted to go to the bullpen, especially with the Yanks holding a 2-1 lead at the time. Jeter, known for his old-school approach and competitive mindset, pointed to his own experience in the 2000 World Series, referencing how Al Leiter threw 142 pitches against the Mets to keep his team in control. “It’s a domino effect on not only this game tonight. Tomorrow’s game and the rest of the series,” Jeter said.

Ryan Ruocco, another commentator, echoed Jeter’s sentiment and specifically questioned Boone’s decision to bring in Nestor Cortes in the ninth inning instead of opting for a more established reliever like Tim Hill. This choice allowed Freddie Freeman to hit a walk-off grand slam, delivering a 6-3 victory to the Dodgers in a game that had seemed within reach for the Yankees. On the other hand, there were considerations that might have justified the skipper’s caution. Cole has had a rigorous workload, with Game 1 marking his 14th start since early August. In his previous three postseason starts, he hadn’t reached 90 pitches, which could indicate Boone’s concern over extending his ace. While Cole’s pitch count per inning against the Dodgers was relatively efficient at 14.6 pitches, Aaron Boone leaned toward preserving Cole’s strength over the series rather than in this one game.

Did Aaron Boone Set Nestor Cortes Up For Failure?

(Source: Imagn)
In a challenging moment for the Yankees, Nestor Cortes stepped onto the mound in the 10th inning of Game 1 of the World Series, fresh off an elbow injury. Manager Aaron Boone placed his trust in Cortes, hoping his left-handed arm could handle the Dodgers’ powerhouse lineup, including Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman.

Cortes began strong, forcing Ohtani to pop out thanks to a stunning catch from Alex Verdugo. However, a misfired pitch to Freeman, intended to be higher, ended with Freeman launching a walk-off grand slam, sealing a 6-3 Dodgers victory. While Boone defended his decision, some questioned whether Cortes, coming off injury, was set up for failure by the skipper.