Nestor Cortes dazzled for the Yankees in a huge start on Wednesday night, tossing seven scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and no walks to get a big win for the Bombers, who moved back into first place as a result.
It was the second start in a row in which the lefty twirled seven shutout frames, as he tries to move past a five-start stretch before these last two in which he posted a 9.26 ERA. For Sal, Cortes’ last two outings, especially Wednesday night, shows that the crafty veteran is deserving of being in the Yankees’ playoff rotation.
“I’ve been telling you that I like Nestor Cortes for a while, and last night is exactly why,” Sal said. “I get it, he can be very hittable and make hitters comfortable, and at times he can give up a bunch of runs and some homers, but he battles and he competes.
“Against a team leading their division and are going to the playoffs, a game the Yankees needed coming off that bad loss in 12 innings using every arm in their bullpen, Nestor Cortes gave them exactly what they needed. That’s what Nasty Nestor does. That’s why I value him.”
Cortes has been shaky at times this season, especially on the road, but despite a lack of top-end velocity or strikeout stuff, Sal would trust Cortes to go out and grind through an effective outing in October.
“Do I want him starting game one of the postseason? No, but I wouldn’t have a problem with him starting game two at home in the postseason,” Sal said. “To me, I would have him in the rotation. I trust him more than I trust Carlos Rodon.”