Giancarlo Stanton delivered the decisive blow, launching an eighth-inning home run that pushed the New York Yankees past the Kansas City Royals 3-2 in a tense Game 3 on Wednesday night. The victory gives the Yankees a commanding 2-1 lead in the American League Division Series, placing them just one win away from advancing. Stanton was the offensive star in a game where hits were scarce, single-handedly powering the team to a crucial win.
Stanton Delivers in the Clutch
With the game deadlocked at 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth, Giancarlo Stanton stepped up to the plate against Royals ace Kris Bubic. On a 3-1 count, Stanton connected for a monstrous 420-foot blast to left field, electrifying the stadium and giving the Yankees a lead they would not surrender.
It was a signature moment for Stanton, who has a reputation for delivering in high-pressure situations. While the rest of the team struggled to get anything going, Stanton was a force, collecting three of the team’s four total hits and driving in two of their three runs. His performance was the clear difference in an otherwise tight pitching duel.
A Tale of Two Yanks: Bullpen Dominance and Offensive Woes
While Stanton’s bat provided the winning margin, the Yankees’ bullpen was equally responsible for the victory. The relief corps continued its incredible postseason run, shutting down the Royals’ offense completely. After starter Clarke Schmidt delivered a solid 4⅔ innings, the bullpen took over and was flawless.
The Yankees’ bullpen has not allowed an earned run in 13⅔ innings this postseason. This lockdown performance was critical on a night when the offense couldn’t find its rhythm. Luke Weaver earned the save by pitching two scoreless innings, striking out three and navigating a jam in the eighth inning to preserve the tie. Manager Aaron Boone’s trust in his relievers has paid off immensely, forming the backbone of the team’s success.
The game’s statistics paint a stark picture of the team’s performance.
| Player/Unit | Key Stat |
| Giancarlo Stanton | 3-5, 2 RBIs, 1 HR, 1 SB |
| Rest of Yankees Offense | 1-25, 0 extra-base hits |
| Yankees Bullpen | 4⅓ scoreless innings |
Judge’s Struggles at the Plate Continue
In sharp contrast to Stanton’s heroics, superstar Aaron Judge continued to search for his swing. The AL MVP candidate went 0-for-4, extending his slump in the series. Judge has looked out of sync, managing just one single in his last eleven at-bats.
Although he drew a walk, the Yankees desperately need more production from their top slugger. Judge’s inability to make solid contact has been a surprising development after his historic regular season. If New York hopes to make a deep run, they will need their leader to break out of this funk and provide the offensive support the team is currently lacking.
Yankees Look to Cole to Close Out the Series
With a 2-1 series lead, the Yankees will hand the ball to their ace, Gerrit Cole, for Game 4 on Thursday night. Cole will face Royals starter Michael Wacha as New York aims to clinch a spot in the American League Championship Series.
Cole is looking for a bounce-back performance after a shaky outing in Game 1, where he allowed three earned runs in five innings. With the bullpen well-rested and a chance to end the series at home, the Yankees are in a strong position. However, they cannot rely solely on pitching and one player’s heroics to carry them forward. The entire lineup will need to wake up to avoid another nail-biter.
