Why the Yankees made a decision that led to the walk-off grand slam

The Yankees needed three outs to win Game 1 of the 2024 World Series and opted to bring in a pitcher who hadn't played in over a month to take on the task.

This plan backfired, as Nestor Cortes only lasted a third of the way into the bottom of the 10th inning before giving up a walk-off grand slam to Freddie Freeman. The epic moment was heralded by New York intentionally running out Mookie Betts, fearing the former Boston Red Sox star had played hero.

The Los Angeles Dodgers took a 1-0 lead on Friday night and Yankees fans wondered why Cortes was used in extra innings.

“I just enjoyed the match,” Aaron Boone told reporters, according to Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com. “The reality is (Cortes) has been throwing the ball really well the last few weeks as he prepares for this.”

Cortes suffered an elbow injury last month that forced him to miss most of New York's postseason run. The left-hander decided to fight through despite not being fully healthy. The All-Star pitcher admitted he had “all the confidence in the world” when his number was called, but fans wondered whether or not southpaw Tim Hill would have been a better choice.

“I knew it was going to be hard with one out there, doubling Shohei (Ohtani), when Tim Hill gets him on the floor and then Mookie is behind him, it's an uphill battle there,” Boone said, according to the Dan Martin of the New York Post. “So I felt judged at that point with Nestor.”

Instead, Freeman, battling an ankle injury, put together a great swing to continue building his postseason legacy. New York has a chance to tie the World Series in Game 2 at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.