Giancarlo Stanton adds another level to his growing October legacy
CLEVELAND — Giancarlo Stanton didn’t have the game-winning homer this time, but he added to his October legacy with another mammoth home run in Game 5 of the ALCS, which the Yankees won 5-2 in 10 innings that sent them back to the World Series.Sure, Soto’s three-run homer to center with two outs in the top of the 10th was the one that everyone will remember.Prior to that, though, the Yankees once again relied on Stanton — who was named ALCS MVP during the ceremony postgame — to provide the offense in an October game, as he hit his fourth homer of the series, a two-run shot with two outs in the top of the sixth inning that tied the game at 2-2.It came after Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto opened the inning with singles, but Aaron Judge hit into a double play, with the Yankees still looking for their first run.Stanton had whiffed twice before in the game against Cleveland starter Tanner Bibee, but had already proven how dangerous he can be throughout the ALCS.So it was still somewhat of a surprise when Cleveland opted to pitch to Stanton with the slumping Jazz Chisholm Jr.on deck.And Stanton made them pay, with a 446-foot homer that caused an eruption in the Yankee dugout, something of a regular occurrence this postseason when Stanton is at the plate.It’s been a season of redemption for Stanton, who had a miserable 2023 — along with the rest of the Yankees, who barely finished above .500.A leaner Stanton showed up at spring training, and although he couldn’t stay healthy for the entire season, he was on the field most of the year and delivered.But he’s taken it to a new level during these playoffs, as he continues to come up with clutch hits — and usually home runs.This one was another no-doubter and helped send the Yankees to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
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