I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT NESTOR CORTES... AND OTHER GREAT NEWS

Nestor Cortes always steps up big time! Yesterday was just another moment where we needed this guy and he crushed it.

The Daily News writes:

"Nestor Cortes did what he has become known to Yankees fans for: getting outs whenever the Bombers need them. Sunday, Cortes gave the Bombers a quality start Sunday against a dangerous lineup as the Yankees pulled out a 5-3 win over the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field...

He allowed one run and seven hits. He walked one and struck out seven. He doesn’t overpower hitters, but fools them with timing and different looks. He even drops down to a sidearm slot and fools them with a fastball with horizontal movement.

“You know, I would love to throw 97-98, obviously,” Cortes said of his different deliveries.” But as long as I can get the job done and keep getting outs, which is the most important thing, I’ll stick to what I got.”

And literally it's that simple. Cortes knows his limitations, he works within those limitations and he becomes successful in the process. Translation, the Yanks always have a fighting chance when he's on the bump.

Same type of thing applied the other night when Joey Gallo spoke to the press after he cranked out 2 home runs. He was the first to admit that he's had a slow start. But he was forthcoming and said (and paraphrasing here) "Look, as long as I continue to have good at bats, I know that it will work itself out.  Even if I can get on base with a couple walks but I can score a couple of runs on those walks, I've done my job and I can help my team win."

He's right... know what needs to be done, and don't try to do too much. It will all work out.

In other news... it looks like Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rizzo will be back, coming off the COVID restricted list and Cole is schedule to pitch tonight.

Pinstripe Alley writes through ESPN: 

"ESPN: The Yankees’ ace is expected to be activated off the COVID injured list today, with Aaron Boone announcing yesterday that Gerrit Cole will get the start in today’s makeup against the Angels. Cole’s one of the real frontrunners for the AL Cy Young Award, and re-adding him to the rotation is a huge boost to the Yankees’ playoff aspirations. "

With Rizzo coming back, and trust me, we all want him back, Luke Voit is now gonna flounder again. It's not fair, but that's the biz. Quote from Voit here:

Luke Voit: "I want to hit. I'm a good hitter. I want to help any way I can so this team can win a championship." #YankeesZoomRoom pic.twitter.com/BIzWgFNoLr

— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) August 15, 2021

And look, You have to applaud this dude. The situation was bad at one point however. I think it was the third stint for him on the IL when we acquired Rizzo, and so the Yankees had to make that move. But now Voit's back, he is contributing and it is one of these things where he may sit alittle more now. But he is right... the dude can rake. Boone needs to find the right formula for all these stars... that's the bottom line.