Nestor Cortes Jr. delivered an outstanding performance, pitching six scoreless innings in the Yankees' 2-1 victory over the Mariners, which secured the team's postseason berth. Cortes' recent form is impressive, boasting a 1.58 ERA in his last six outings, making a strong case for a role in the playoff rotation. He expressed his desire to compete at the highest level, stating, "I’m just trying to pull my weight around here and compete with the guys that are the best around the league." Teammate Gerrit Cole praised Cortes for his consistency and versatility, highlighting his reliability throughout the season. This win marked Cortes' fourth scoreless outing in his last seven games, as the Yankees navigate their starting rotation ahead of the playoffs. Meanwhile, Giancarlo Stanton was absent from the lineup for a second consecutive game, although he reported no physical issues.