Giancarlo Stanton played a key role in the New York Yankees’ 5-1 win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. Stanton drove in all five runs for his team, including a Statcast-projected 451-foot home run, as the Yankees secured their tenth victory in their last fourteen games.
Since returning from injury after missing the first 70 games of the season due to tennis elbow in both arms, Stanton has become an important contributor to the Yankees’ offense. He now has 17 home runs and 46 RBIs across 51 games this season, with an OPS of 1.051 over 163 at-bats.
In the thirty games since the All-Star break, Stanton is batting .362 with thirteen home runs and thirty-two RBIs, maintaining an OPS of 1.248 in that period. Only Nick Kurtz of the Athletics holds a higher second-half OPS among players with at least one hundred plate appearances.
Manager Aaron Boone commented on Stanton’s performance: “This, I feel like — and it’s saying a lot — is maybe as good as I’ve seen him, just consistency-wise. Consistency of at-bat after at-bat after at-bat. I feel like he is controlling the zone probably as well as I’ve ever seen him.”
Stanton himself reflected on his current form: “I haven’t taken a huge dive into the underlying numbers, but if that’s in conversation, it’s a good conversation to have,” he said. “I’m moving forward one day at a time, so I’ve just got to keep it rolling. … Make sure I’m ready [and] don’t miss the mistakes.”
With Aaron Judge sidelined from right field by a right flexor strain since July 25 and limited to designated-hitter duties, Stanton’s ability to play right field—he has appeared there eleven times since August 9—has allowed both sluggers to remain in the lineup.
“It’s been fun being able to contribute on both sides,” said Stanton. “I’m just making sure I’m mentally prepared for all scenarios when the ball is hit towards me.”
Boone added about Stanton’s outfield work: “I think he’s done a capable job out there,” he said. “Obviously I’ve been careful with it, getting him out of games when we do have a lead. Part of that is getting our defense on the field, but also trying to preserve him the best physically as I can.”
On Tuesday night, two significant at-bats by Stanton led Boone to substitute defensively for him in the seventh inning. In one key moment during the third inning—with bases loaded—Stanton hit a three-run double that gave New York its first lead.
Cody Bellinger commented on Stanton’s impact: “He’s locked in,” Bellinger said. “It seems like every at-bat is a quality at-bat; he hits the ball harder than anyone I’ve ever seen. It’s really, really fun to watch and really impressive.”
Later in the sixth inning—after relievers Fernando Cruz and Tim Hill escaped trouble—Stanton extended New York’s lead with his longest homer of this season.
Boone praised Stanton’s approach: “I like when he walks up there, because I know he’s going to be prepared and I know he’s going to go execute his plan,” Boone said. “It doesn’t obviously mean you get a result, but I know he’s going to be convicted; if they slip up, he’s going to get you.”
Bellinger also noted: “It’s insanely impressive,” Bellinger said. “Him and Judge, they can do things offensively that not many guys can do. It’s such a rare sight, it’s really fun to watch and see with your own eyes.”
