Much of the buzz following Tuesday’s 7-5 ALDS Game 2 loss to the Rays centered around the Yankees’ peculiar pitching strategy, but there was one positive to take away from the game:
Giancarlo Stanton is absolutely raking this postseason.
The Yankees slugger is off to a historic start through the team’s first four playoff games – becoming the first player in MLB history to belt five home runs and 10 RBI in that span in the same postseason, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
The only player in MLB history to do something similar was Mr. October himself, Reggie Jackson, when he accomplished the same feat in four games over the course of two postseasons from 1977-78.
Jackson led the Yankees to World Series titles in each of those years, and the Bombers are hoping Stanton’s suddenly hot bat can do the same.
The 30-year-old DH has been a bit of a pariah since the Yankees acquired the former NL MVP via a trade in 2018. Stanton has struggled to stay healthy and consistent, especially in the postseason.
He appeared in just five of the Yankees’ nine postseason games last year due to injury, and entered the playoffs 8-for-34 with two home runs, three RBI and 12 strikeouts in 10 career playoff games.
But this year is a different story. His ninth-inning grand slam in Game 1 against the Rays was the final nail in the coffin to seal the victory for the Yanks on Monday night. His two home runs on Tuesday – including a mammoth 458-foot blast that left Petco Park at 118.3 mph -- were the only thing that kept the Yankees in the game and only runs they managed off Rays ace Tyler Glasnow.
Stanton was actually the only player in the Yankees lineup on Tuesday to have a multi-hit game.
The Yankees and Rays are now down to a best-of-three series with Charlie Morton – who has given the Yankees trouble over the years – on the mound for Tampa.
Stanton has had some success against Morton, though. He is 9-for-26 with a home run and four RBI. The Yankees will need to rely on Stanton to continue his hot hitting if they wish to get the best of the Rays and advance to the ALCS.
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