The Yankees seem to have found a version of Giancarlo Stanton from 2017 during this crucial stretch of the season.
This isn’t just any Stanton; he’s playing like an MVP, particularly against the Nationals.
Stanton has returned to right field alongside Aaron Judge, despite dealing with some right elbow flexor tension. He hit a three-run double in the third inning and then contributed a two-run homer in the sixth, bringing his tally to significant contributions in recent games.
In fact, Stanton has hit five home runs in just the last seven games, and seven in his last eleven, demonstrating he’s one of the hottest hitters in the league over the past two months.
His ability to play right field—adequately enough for the Yankees to stay competitive—has allowed him to remain in the lineup, while Judge seems to have struggled since returning from the injured list.
It’s a stark contrast to the first half of the season when Judge was dominating at the plate, leaving many to question how much Stanton could contribute while he dealt with tendonitis in both elbows.
Recently, Stanton has helped the Yankees bounce back from three straight losses by contributing to three consecutive wins.
Though they faced a highly competitive opponent recently, the Yankees managed to secure a series victory against the Mets last week, even after dropping four games in a row.
Lewis Gill is trying to find his footing again after being named America’s Rookie of the Year last year. He struggled with his command but managed to give up only one run in five innings.
He walked four batters, allowed five hits, and worked around some hard hits from the Nationals.
A rally in the third inning started with a leadoff double from Robert Hassel III. After a walk to James Wood, CJ Abrams managed a single to left field, but an overzealous third base coach tried to send Hassel home, leading to a miscommunication that ended poorly.
Gill managed to escape additional trouble in that inning, and the Yankees quickly responded against lefty Mackenzie Gore.
Paul Goldschmidt contributed two doubles, and after Judge and Cody Bellinger both walked, Stanton stepped up to the plate.
Facing a 3-2 count, he launched a curveball deep to center, driving in three runs and giving the Yankees a lead.
It was interesting to see how Washington’s pitching coach Jim Hickey made adjustments after the Yankees scored, but Gore’s struggles continued.
Bellinger redeemed himself in the fifth after a previous mistake in the outfield, and Gill’s second double left the door open for more action.
Fernando Cruz came in for Gill, coming back from an oblique strain but had to deal with a challenging situation in the sixth inning.
Stanton then blasted a 451-foot home run off Orlando Rivalta, extending the lead to 5-1.
Before the game began, manager Boone praised Stanton’s performance, noting that he’s become one of the game’s top hitters behind only A’s Nick Kurtz since early July.
As the Yankees strive for a postseason spot, it seems like Stanton, rather than Judge, is currently the one leading the offense.
