The New York Yankees are ALCS-bound, and the Cleveland Guardians are headed home for the winter.
The defining moment in Game 5 of the ALDS on Tuesday afternoon was Giancarlo Stanton‘s three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning.
The Yankees designated hitter caught one just right and hit it out of Yankee Stadium to give New York a 3-0 lead against Guardians starter Aaron Civale.
In fact, Stanton has been a pretty solid postseason performer for the Bronx Bombers over the past four Octobers.
He’s hit 10 home runs in his last 15 postseason games dating back to 2019.
He’s one back of Babe Ruth for the most home runs of all-time in a span of 15 postseason games.
most HR in 15-game postseason span:
1926-32 Babe Ruth: 11
2019-22 Giancarlo Stanton: 10
1998-99 Jim Thome: 10 https://t.co/iMRUuoXVu2— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 18, 2022
Stanton One Back Of Ruth For Postseason History
Stanton is also tied for second on that list with MLB legend Jim Thome.
Yesterday, he put a stick in the eye of the Guardians early, giving the Yankees a three-run lead in just the first inning.
Aaron Judge went deep an inning later.
The Yankees ultimately won the game by a final of 5-1 over the Guardians, punching their ticket to the ALCS for the first time since 2019 and securing a date with the Houston Astros.
And they’ll need Stanton’s bat if they’re going to overcome the Astros and their dominant pitching staff.
This postseason, Stanton has hit two home runs and driven in six.
During the regular season, he hit just .211, but managed to hit 31 homers and drive in 78.
Time will tell if Stanton can continue his postseason hot streak.
Game 1 of the ALCS gets underway in Houston tonight at 7:37 p.m. Eastern Time and will air on TBS.
Jameson Taillon will start for the Yankees and be opposed by Justin Verlander.
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