Nestor Cortes had a strong performance pitching at home for the Yankees, as he tossed five scoreless innings in a 7-3 win over the Mariners. He had a great fastball and cutter, striking out six and giving up just three hits and three walks. Despite a high pitch count early on, he found quick outs in the fourth and fifth innings before being replaced. His home ERA is an impressive 1.11, with 41 strikeouts and just five walks at Yankee Stadium, compared to a 6.75 ERA on the road.
The discrepancy between Cortes’ performances at home and on the road is stark this season. While he has excelled in the Bronx, with opponents batting just .293/.359/.509 against him on the road, he has struggled with a 6.75 ERA away from home. The Yankees have gone 1-4 when Cortes starts on the road and 4-2 when he starts at home. His success at home has been attributed to the support of the fans and the atmosphere at Yankee Stadium, motivating him to perform well and drawing on the energy of the crowd to excel on the mound.
Despite the strong performance of Cortes and the Yankees’ pitching staff as a whole, their ace Gerrit Cole has been absent due to injury. However, the other starters have stepped up in his absence, posting a combined 1.01 ERA over their last 10 outings. Cortes’ ability to pitch deep into games and hand it off to the bullpen has been crucial for the team’s success, especially after battling through a high pitch count in the early innings of his start against the Mariners.
Looking ahead, Cortes is likely to face his next two starts on the road as the Yankees begin a nine-game West Coast trip. While his success at home has been consistent, he will need to find a way to replicate that success on the road in order to help the team continue their winning ways. Cortes has noted the impact of the fans at home games, feeling the support and energy of the crowd behind him as he takes the mound. This has helped him perform at a high level in the Bronx, and he will need to find a way to carry that momentum with him wherever he pitches.
In conclusion, Nestor Cortes’ strong performance at home for the Yankees has been a key factor in their success this season. His ability to dominate at Yankee Stadium has led to wins for the team, while his struggles on the road have resulted in losses. The support of the fans and the energy of the home crowd have played a significant role in Cortes’ success, and he will need to find a way to carry that momentum with him on the road. With Gerrit Cole sidelined, the rest of the pitching staff has stepped up to fill the void, posting impressive numbers in recent outings. Cortes’ performance will be crucial as the Yankees look to continue their winning ways on their upcoming road trip.
