Mr. October II: Stanton carries Yankees to win with another postseason brilliance
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Follow UsGiancarlo Stanton’s power at the plate has re-emerged in a big way this October, recalling his MVP-level performances from past seasons. The Yankees slugger’s towering home run in the seventh inning of Game 1 against the Cleveland Guardians was his second of the postseason, offering a reminder of the threat he poses when fully healthy and locked in.
The solo shot, Stanton’s 13th career postseason homer, sailed over the Cleveland bullpen and nearly landed in the distant left-field seats. The 439-foot blastoff left-hander Erik Sabrowski left the bat at an impressive 114.3 mph, giving the Yankees a crucial 5-1 lead. That extra cushion proved vital as Cleveland later brought the tying run to the plate in both the eighth and ninth innings.
Giancarlo Stanton’s power surge carried into the ALCS, undeterred by the three-day break and colder weather. Stanton continued the momentum he built against the Royals, crushing a pivotal 439-foot home run in the seventh inning of Monday’s game. That solo blast provided crucial insurance in the Yankees’ 5-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians in the series opener.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone lauded Stanton’s presence in the heart of the lineup, emphasizing the significance of his home run, especially in the chilly conditions. Boone noted the Yankees hardest-hitter‘s unwavering focus and how his at-bats have consistently been high quality, even beyond the long balls.
“Just some kind of [big] presence in the middle of our lineup,” the Yankees skipper explained. “Locked in, focused, and that’s of course what he’s capable of. That ball is absolutely nailed on a cold night, hitting it off the back of the bullpen out there.”
Giancarlo Stanton’s postseason power continues to impress, as his 13 career home runs with the Yankees in just 115 playoff at-bats now rank second only to Babe Ruth in the team’s storied history. Stanton’s knack for delivering in critical moments has become a hallmark of his October appearances, cementing his status as a key offensive force.
Stanton goes beyond power show to carry Yankees to win
Stanton’s impact wasn’t limited to his homer. He also drew a walk and scored during a key three-run rally in the third inning, further contributing to the Yankees‘ offensive efforts. Though his final line showed 1-for-3, his outs were solid contact, including a pair of deep fly balls, showcasing what Boone described as Stanton’s continued string of quality at-bats.
Despite his own hardest-hitter tag, Stanton pointed to the importance of plate discipline, particularly during a key sequence in the third inning. After starter Alex Cobb left the game due to injury, reliever Joey Cantillo struggled with control, and both Stanton and Judge drew walks, setting up a Yankees rally.
Stanton emphasized the significance of those walks, explaining that they were just as valuable as the home runs. He praised the team’s patience and refusal to chase pitches outside the strike zone, a strategy he believes is critical in high-pressure situations. Stanton said the team’s focus on capitalizing on mistakes and staying within their approach is something they plan to maintain throughout the postseason.
“[Walks] are huge,” he noted said. “We can’t emphasize that enough. Not forcing things. So in the biggest moments, you want to maybe try to do too much, expand a little too much, and we’ve done a great job so far of taking what they give us. And we’ll continue to do that.”
Reflecting on his mindset, Stanton stressed the importance of each pitch in postseason play. He acknowledged that results aren’t always guaranteed, but emphasized his focus on preparation, from video analysis to fine-tuning his swing, to ensure he’s ready for critical moments.
“I understand how important each pitch, each moment is,” the slugger told after the win. “I understand that you’re not always going to be successful in those moments, but anything I can do — any bit of information or video or swings — to be in my best spot during this moment.”
Stanton’s postseason production has been a cornerstone of the Yankees’ success. In the ALDS, he posted a 1.132 OPS, including a game-changing, tie-breaking home run in the seventh inning of Game 3. His four RBIs across the series played a key role in driving the team’s offense, highlighting his value as the Yankees look to advance further into October.
Manager Aaron Boone praised Stanton’s ability to come through in pivotal situations but underscored that the Yankees’ real strength is their collective discipline at the plate. Boone highlighted how the lineup’s approach puts constant pressure on opposing pitchers, forcing them to work hard from top to bottom.
“Putting the ball in the seats … that can be big,” he said. “But I think by and large, the strength of our group is making you have to work to go through us.”
Stanton, alongside Juan Soto—who also homered—has helped take some pressure off Aaron Judge, who has struggled this postseason. Judge, a frequent source of offensive power for New York, has only managed one extra-base hit in five games, continuing a pattern of postseason challenges.
Stanton’s postseason numbers (.368/.455/.789) are on par with Aaron Judge, continuing a trend since Stanton joined the Yankees. In just 32 playoff games with New York, he has now hit 13 home runs, solidifying his reputation as a clutch performer in October.
While Aaron Judge and Juan Soto have been the Yankees’ offensive cornerstones this season, Stanton’s return to form has added another dimension to the lineup. With Stanton back to his 2017 power-hitting ways, the trio of Judge, Soto, and Stanton is reminiscent of the Yankees’ historic “Murderers’ Row.” When all three are producing, their combined firepower can compensate for any pitching uncertainties, making the Yankees a formidable force as they chase another World Series title.
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