Nestor Cortes has squared off with some solid pitchers in 2022. But with all due respect to the likes of Michael Kopech and Cal Quantrill, none hold a candle to Shohei Ohtani, who the Angels bumped up to start the doubleheader opener on Thursday. It didn’t matter; the offense handled Ohtani with ease and Cortes once again twirled a masterpiece in a 6-1 Yankees victory.
Nestor’s first test came in the opening frame, when he was tasked with staring down the Angels’ intimidating top-of-the-lineup trio of Taylor Ward (228 OPS+ start to 2022), Ohtani (the 2021 AL MVP), and Mike Trout (already an inner-circle Hall of Famer).