MLB WORLD SERIES: YANKEES VS DODGERS

October 25, 2024

Aaron Boone

Dodger Stadium

New York Yankees

Postgame 1 Press Conference

Dodgers - 6, Yankees - 3

Q. Aaron, you opted to intentionally walk Mookie to get to Freddie there with the bases loaded in that situation. Ultimately, did you deliberate a lot over that decision, and why did you go with that?

AARON BOONE: Just taking the left-on-left matchup there. No, I didn't deliberate long.

Q. And Nestor hadn't pitched since September 18th. Why did you like him in that tenth inning?

AARON BOONE: Just liked the matchup. The reality is he's been throwing the ball really well the last few weeks as he's gotten ready for this. I knew with one out there, it would be tough to double up Shohei if Tim Hill gets him on the ground and then Mookie behind him is a tough matchup there. So felt convicted with Nestor in that spot.

Q. Nestor's history against Ohtani is why you liked the matchup?

AARON BOONE: I mean, a little bit. I don't know if you ever love a matchup against Ohtani, but I felt like Nestor could give us a shot at it.

Q. What could Gleyber have done differently in receiving that ball?

AARON BOONE: Once there's no play, you can really retreat and give ground and get a long hop, but he still got to a short hop. You've just got to secure it there.

Q. Aaron, you had Hill going as well at the same time?

AARON BOONE: Yes.

Q. Was that more to just give them two looks?

AARON BOONE: I just wanted to make sure that Nestor warmed up well, and then if there was a two-out situation, I wanted to at least have the consideration to use Timmy there.

Q. We talked a lot this year about your team bouncing back from adversity. Just what -- how do you see them doing that tonight?

AARON BOONE: Very well. We'll be -- win, lose, or draw tomorrow, we'll be ready to roll. We've already talked about it. We're good.

Q. You used Dominguez there to pinch run for Gleyber. Is he okay?

AARON BOONE: Yeah.

Q. And Gerrit started this one off. Overall, what did you think of Cole?

AARON BOONE: I thought Gerrit was really good. I thought he did a good job of establishing his fastball and then starting to mix as the game unfolded a little bit. I thought he got a little bit taxed there. The last probably 20, 30 pitches, I thought he kind of grinded a little bit.

I thought he did a good job mixing in his curveball. I thought the cutter was a factor for him tonight. We even saw the change-up a little. Threw a couple good sliders later in that game. But I think it started with him establishing his fastball early and was really efficient.

Q. As hot as Stanton is, is there any thought to flip-flopping him and Judge at this point? I mean, four home runs in a row.

AARON BOONE: No. No.