From Bryan Hoch:
Giancarlo Stanton has said he lives for the moments that only the postseason can provide, savoring its brighter spotlight and an opportunity to chase the championship that he hungers to deliver. The Yankees’ slugger sure did a lot of living in Game 3 of the American League Division Series.
Stanton launched a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning, part of a do-it-all three-hit performance that also included a run-scoring double and his first stolen base in more than four years, powering the Yankees’ 3-2 victory over the Royals on Wednesday evening at Kauffman Stadium.
“This is what I came here for,” Stanton said. “We need to wrap it up [Thursday]. No wiggle room. We’ve got to get it done.”
The Yankees now lead the series two games to one, a victory away from advancing to their second American League Championship Series in three years. As Stanton noted, they intend to take care of that before departing Kansas City on Thursday.
“He’s a killer. It’s remarkable,” said manager Aaron Boone. “I just admire how well he’s able to focus in these big moments and just go to a different place mentally. The at-bat on the home run was phenomenal. I think he went up there to do just that.”
I mean, I’m sure we all knew that they were going to pull this one out, right? I especially liked how Boone has cleverly used Clay Holmes in the only way you can get any benefit out of him, use him only when the game is tied or the Yankees are trailing. When he has no save to blow, his brain malfunctions, and he pitches really well. Just don’t let him anywhere near a lead, Boone!
What a vintage performance by Stanton. What a relief! They should probably move up in the lineup to cleanup for Game 4, maybe move Wells down behind Volpe?
Something like…
Gleyber
Soto
Judge
Stanton
Jazz
Volpe
Wells
Waldo
Verdugo
If they somehow get into the ALCS, I think you can THEN start playing Dominguez in left field, as you have a little more wiggle room to deal with Dominguez’s shitty defense, in which case you would plug Dominguez into the #6 spot after Jazz.
Although, obviously, as you all know by now, I really just want them to lead off Soto. Why not get your two best hitters as many at-bats as POSSIBLE? Look at the innings where Gleyber made the last out – wouldn’t it have been better to have Soto up in those spots? Especially since he’s so good at getting on base that that means the odds of JUDGE coming up also increase. Of course, it would also be nice if Judge would stop sucking so much (even though, to be fair, he also got FUCKED SO HARD on a walk that was called a strikeout due to a shitty call by the first base umpire, who was antsy after no longer being able to fuck the Yankees behind the plate like he did earlier in the series).
Here’s an interesting thought – does it make any sense to just start Luis Gil in Game 4? That way if you win, you have Gerrit Cole ready to start Game 1 of the ALCS (right now it would be Carlos Rodon starting Game 1 if Cole wins Game 4, and the Tigers, if they win, will have Tariq Skubal ready for Game 1, and, well, come on, we all know the Tigers are winning that ALDS in whichever fashion would fuck the Yankees over the most, so presumably in four games so that Skubal will be fresh for Game 1), and if you lose, you have Gerrit Cole starting the elimination game, which is nice, as well. Now, on the other hand, if you think Nestor will be healthy in time, then I guess you could start Nestor in a theoretical Game 1 of the ALCS, which might make sense, but how could you possibly trust that Nestor was actually healthy?).
I’m sure the Yankees will just go with Cole, and it might be the right call, but I dunno….
Winning tonight with Cole would still set him up to get 2 starts in the CS right? I’d go for the more likely win asap rather that try to play potential matchups.
Stanton was great. And to be fair, he’s had a rebound season and better than I expected based on his decline the last few years.
I’d be down with starting Gil on a short leash. If his stuff/command isn’t there then move to Stroman and the bullpen.
Any plan that looks forward to Stroman in this game is ridiculous if you can start Cole. Unless you have a way to get him 3 starts in the next round, then it makes no difference.
UPD: Or what Clay said.
I have confidence in Gil. More in him than I do in Rodon.
I probably do, too.
But if Cole wins this series, they all get an extra day off. And Cole doesn’t start any fewer games in the next series.
In other news, looks like Tropicana Field will need some repair work. The roof was blown off.
Saw the pictures.
Leave it that way.
“This is what I came here for,” Stanton said. “We need to wrap it up [Thursday]. No wiggle room. We’ve got to get it done. Because otherwise my numbnuts manager is going to start Rodon in Game 5.”
At this point I think you have to consider giving Stanton the QO
? Am I missing something?
I had the same thought about holding off on Cole…but then maybe just ask him
if he wants Game 4 or 5?
Maybe just punt game 1 against Skubal and try to win 4 out of 6. Crazy I know but I always felt they should have done that in the 2003 WS.
UJD is just joking around (Stanton is signed for three more years).
In fact, I might go with Gil in game 1 of the next series.
And on a good day Gil can be untouchable, you have a chance in the Skubal games.
But the main thing is that, by using Cole in game 2, you get something a lot closer to an automatic win in the games Cole pitches.
Be nice to see this prediction come through.
https://x.com/brendankutynj/status/1844394371145400585?s=61&t=fhOaqwtc8q2TMSXUDRjPeg
He really WAS hitting the ball hard. I think it’ll work out for him. He’s not just going up there and whiffing like crazy.
According to @UmpScorecards all three games have had favorability towards the Yankees. The playoffs are supposed to have good umpires
https://x.com/codybtapp/status/1844386653475148019?s=61&t=fhOaqwtc8q2TMSXUDRjPeg
Yeah, while I was mad at the times they fucked the Yankees, it’s fair to note that they fucked the Royals plenty, as well.
Mets winning it all, hottest team in MLB since June 1.
They really do seem to have that certain je ne sais quoi. Hopefully the Yankees defeat them in the World Series!
Mets win 2024 World Series is a tautology.
Waldo has an OBP of 500 so Boone puts the 34 year old journeyman Jon Berti back in the lineup.
I’m also surprised that they don’t move Stanton to the cleanup and drop Wells a few slots.
G Torres (R) 2B
J Soto (L) RF
A Judge (R) CF
A Wells (L) C
G Stanton (R) DH
J Chisholm Jr. (L) 3B
A Volpe (R) SS
A Verdugo (L) LF
J Berti (R) 1B
That would mess up R/L. and that would destroy Boone’s fragile mind!
Seriously, why is Berti in against a RHP?? And Cabrera had a nice 3 walk game yesterday too. Boone is gonna Boone.
Yeah, good game, now sit down the next game.
No excuse not to play Jasson, except that Cashman obviously dislikes the guy. That, and he and Boone have an odd fascination with Verdugo. Hey, it wouldn’t surprise me if Cashman brings Verdugo back next season.