Giancarlo Stanton is reportedly out for the rest of the season, re-straining his *other* calf while just trying to come back from his previous injury. Dude, that’s rough, and it looks like he won’t be returning at all this year. For most teams, losing a slugger like Stanton for good would absolutely torpedo any World Series dreams. But for the Yankees, it might not be the death blow you think it is.
The Stanton Sidelining Saga (And The Comebacks)
Stanton’s been out for most of the season, which is a real kick in the teeth considering what he can do when he’s healthy. We’re talking about a guy who dropped seven homers in the 2024 postseason alone, a massive reason why the Yankees even made it to the World Series. Losing that kind of power is tough, no doubt. But here’s the thing: while Stanton is done, other key guys are actually coming back. Cody Bellinger is already back in the lineup, and the word is Aaron Judge could be ready to roll in just a couple of weeks. Plus, Max Fried’s injury isn’t serious, so he’ll be back on the bump too. It’s like a carousel of injuries, but some good news is finally hitting.
The Pitching Staff That Doesn’t Care About Your Bat
Here’s the real kicker though: the Yankees have been legit contenders to win the American League for the second time in three seasons *without* Stanton for most of the year, and even without Judge for a chunk of it. They’ve already cut their deficit to the Tampa Bay Rays to just three games, which is wild. And honestly? They might not even need Stanton to win it all. Why? Their pitching staff is an absolute monster. Gerrit Cole, Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, and Carlos Rodón make for a ridiculous starting rotation heading into the postseason. And the bullpen? One of the best in baseball, period. Judge’s return will boost the offense plenty, and Stanton being out actually lets Judge slide into the designated hitter spot, which could help keep him healthy after he comes back.
So yeah, Stanton being cooked for the season is a bummer, but don’t count the Yankees out. Their pitching is the real deal, and with Judge coming back, they’re still looking like a serious threat to take the American League crown. The rest of the league better pay attention.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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