"Dumbest bullpen move of all time" - Fans perplexed with Yankees tactics as Freddie Freeman walk-off grand slam seals World Series opener for Dodgers

The World Series between Freddie Freeman's Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees was hyped to be one of the best matchups in recent times, and it delivered in Game 1 on Friday.

Dodgers infielder Freeman hit a walk-off extra innings grand slam against Yankees Nestor Cortes Jr. to get a 6-3 win. There were a few questions about New York manager Aaron Boone's tactics, though, choosing to hand the ball to Cortes out of the bullpen.

With the game tied at 2-2 after the ninth, the Yankees took the lead in the top of the 10th as Anthony Volpe grounded out to fielder's choice to plate Jazz Chisholm Jr.

In the bottom half, Jake Cousins was brought on from the bullpen. After he walked Gavin Lux and Tommy Edman earned an infield single, Aaron Boone decided to call in Nestor Cortes Jr. to face Shohei Ohtani.

The Dodgers DH had a poor record against the Yankees pitcher and fouled out to a catch by Alex Verdugo. Mookie Betts was intentionally walked to get a leftie vs. leftie matchup against Freddie Freeman. But on the very first pitch, Freeman struck a 93 mph fastball deep into right field to end the game.

Fans criticized Boone's tactics of bringing in Cortes who hadn't pitched in 37 games, as he was kept out of the postseason roster to make room for other relievers. They took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their opinions.

"Dumbest bullpen move of all time," a fan wrote.

"Imagine getting Ohtani out, intentionally walking Betts, just to give up a first pitch grand slam to Freddie Freeman," another said.

"Nestor got Nested smfh ...," a fan made fun.

"What is Boone thinking pitching Nestor there," a fan questioned.

Even some Yankees fans were perplexed with the decision to get Cortes into the game.

"As a Yankee fan, I have to say, single most obviously horrendous manager move I have ever seen," a fan reacted.

"Boone needs (to be) fired right now!," a fan demanded.

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Freddie Freeman dedicates walk-off grand slam to his father

In the postgame interview, speaking to Ken Rosenthal, Freeman shared a heartfelt message to his father, dedicating the victory to him.

"(My dad) has been there since I was a little boy, throwing batting practice to me every day. This isn't my moment, it's his moment," Freeman said.

It hadn't been an easy season for Freddie Freeman. The 2020 NL MVP first missed games in July-August due to his son Max being admitted to the ICU. Then he suffered an ankle sprain towards the end of last month, which has forced him to play throughout the postseason with an injury.