Yankees World Series Notes: Gerrit Cole named Game 1 starter, plus the latest on Nestor Cortes

Here’s the latest from Yankees manager Aaron Boone ahead of the team’s World Series matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers…

New York’s Game 1 starter is…

Drum roll please….Gerrit Cole.

This won’t come as much of a surprise to anyone, but the skipper made the inevitable official while speaking with reporters on Monday afternoon.

Boone wasn’t ready to commit to the rest of his rotation just yet, but he confirmed that the Bombers’ ace will take the hill when they open this year’s Fall Classic at Chavez Ravine on Friday night.

Cole last took the mound in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Guardians, and while he wasn’t quite his usual dominant self, he did well to limit the damage to just two runs across 4.1 innings of work.

The veteran right-hander has plenty of postseason experience under his belt, including a pair of World Series appearances, both of which came during the 2019 season with the Houston Astros.

But Friday night’s outing will mark the first time this season that he faces off against Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and the high-powered Dodgers lineup.

Boost for the bullpen?

It appears that Nestor Cortes may be closing in on a return to action.

Boone said that the southpaw is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Tuesday afternoon, and if everything goes well there, then there’s a “decent chance” that he could make the cut for the World Series roster.

Cortes has been sidelined since late September with a flexor strain.

While the left-hander has mainly been used as a starter throughout his big league career, the expectation is that he will be working out of the bullpen if he makes a return to the team for the Fall Classic.

Cortes had a bit of an up-and-down campaign prior to the injury, but was able to finish the year with a strong 3.77 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 31 appearances.

Cortes struggled a bit during his long appearance against the Dodgers earlier this season, allowing four runs on four hits in just 5.1 innings of work, including homers to Teoscar Hernandez and Kike Hernandez.

Is this the best Yankees team Boone has had?

He certainly thinks so.

“We were very good in ’19, we were very good in ’22, but in the end we were very beat up and we really had some key pieces get knocked out whether it be in September or in the playoffs,” he said.

“I just feel like things were coming together for us this year more than ever down the stretch and now the playoffs. So far that’s played out for us, I think when you say the togetherness and the culture, we’ve had a lot of seasons where it’s been very strong. I’d say it’s as strong as it’s ever been and that’s a testament of how close these guys are.”

We’ll find out soon enough if they have enough to knock out the Dodgers and get the job done for the first time since 2009.

On facing the Dodgers

Speaking of those Dodgers, with all of the star-studded talent on both sides, Boone is expecting it to be a series for the ages.

“I’ve always had that sense being here that there’s that underlying craving for that,” he said. “I think it’s great, I’m looking forward to all of it. The stars will be out, the eyeballs will be watching, and hopefully we can deliver on a great series.”