Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton have been the most feared hitters of the New York Yankees in the last few years. Then, this year, Juan Soto joined the lineup to bolster the offense. Clearly, the plan worked out well, as the NY side is having one of the best seasons offensively in 2024. The Judge-Soto duo has been performing at an All-Star level. They even helped the American League win against the National League in the 2024 Midsummer Classic. Clearly, the Bronx Bombers have been relying too much on the Judge-Soto combination. But it can turn out to be too much pressure for two guys for a whole season.
Hence, the NY side needs another hitter to provide quality support to the batting lineup following the Dominican slugger and the California native. Can the former Most Valued Player Giancarlo Stanton be that guy for the team? Moreover, Aaron Boone is facing new problems as opponents have found a way to deal with the ‘Judge threat.’ Lately, teams have been intentionally walking Aaron Judge to save some runs. Now, Stanton must lead the way for the following hitters.
What Can Giancarlo Stanton Do After Teams Intentionally Walk Aaron Judge?
Joel Sherman and Ryan Sampson of the New York Post had a discussion of late regarding the Yankees lineup issue. On the Pinstripe Post, these MLB insiders discussed the fact that teams are trying to intentionally walk Aaron Judge. Moreover, on the YouTube channel of the New York Post Sports, Joel Sherman mentioned that opponents will not stop walking the 2022 AL MVP irrespective of “How hot the no.4 slugger is.” Adding to that, he said it is clear that the California native is having an even better offensive season than he had in 2022 when he slugged 62 home runs in the regular season. In May, 2024, Judge decided to stop making strikeouts.
Similarly, the opponent teams have decided to reduce his chances of hitting the balls out of the park. Since the best hitter in the team is starving of plate appearances, Sherman feels the Yankees must choose their number 4 hitter wisely. Austin Wells has stepped in against RHPs. But Sherman believes Stanton must deliver against southpaws. Moreover, the MLB insider said Giancarlo Stanton had a great at-bat against the Texas Rangers in Game 3. The former MVP made the opponents pay for intentionally walking the Yankees captain. Stanton hit the key blow that gave the NY side a five-nothing lead.
The Yankees DH Embraces The Cleanup Challenge
After Giancarlo Stanton gave the perfect response in Game 3 against the Rangers, hitting the ball into the left field stands, the YES Network box had a perfect comment to sum it up. They mentioned, “It was a bullet to left field.” Eventually, the Yankees won 8-7 in Game 3. Later, in the post-game interview, Stanton told the media that intentionally walking a hitter might be a part of the game.
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But he added, “I got to do the same thing I did today to make sure the opponents think a hundred times before walking Judge.” Then, the DH was in all praise for the captain saying, “He is an all-time talent, does something special every day every night.” Also, Stanton noted that it was fun to watch the evolution of Aaron Judge. Moreover, the former MVP believes, “Judge has got more in store.”
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