Stanton lifts Yanks to 1 win from ALCS: 'That's what I'm here for'

KANSAS CITY — Giancarlo Stanton says he lives for the moments that only the postseason can provide, enjoying its bright spotlight and a chance to chase the championship he wants to deliver. The Yankees' slugger sure did a lot in Game 3 of the American League Division Series.

Stanton launched a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning, part of a three-hit performance that included a run-scoring double and his first stolen base in more than four years, to power the Yankees' 3. 2 win over the Royals on Wednesday evening at Coffman Stadium.

“That's what I'm here for,” Stanton said. “We have to wrap it up [Thursday]. No wiggle room. We have to get it done.”

The Yankees now lead the series two games to one, far from advancing to their second American League Championship Series in three years. As Stanton noted, they want to take care of that before they leave Kansas City on Thursday.

“He is a murderer. It's awesome,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I just admire that he's able to focus on these big moments and go somewhere else mentally. The home run at-bat was outstanding. I think he went there to do just that.”

Long before left-hander Chris Bubic connected for a Statcast-counted 417-foot drive — the first postseason go-ahead homer by a Yankee in the eighth inning or later since Raul Ibanez in Game 3 of the 2012 ALDS — Stanton took the field early Wednesday morning, taking extra batting practice on a high-velocity machine.

Stanton said the goal was to familiarize himself with the background of Coffman Stadium and how the ball might fly in game situations. The extra reps paid quick dividends for Stanton, who was 1-for-8 in the ALDS coming into Wednesday's action.

“You can't do all this work and get zero results,” Stanton said. “I'm glad I was working on the right things and got something done tonight.”

Yankees captain Aaron Judge said: “It's just the Big G. What he usually does, every season he plays. I don't think postseason or not [regular] Seasons are different. He comes up with big hits when we need him.”

Stanton led off the scoring with a run-scoring double in the fourth inning, then added a sixth-inning single that preceded his first stolen base since August 3, 2020.

Stanton said his teammates' reaction to the steal was “probably better than the homer,” taking advantage of right-hander Jon Schreiber's neglect to hold him. Schreiber said he probably should have tried a slide move, though the plodding Stanton hardly seemed a threat to run.

“It was an opportunity I could take, and I did,” Stanton said.

Stanton is running at a slower pace to avoid lower-half injuries that have hampered his recent seasons. While his speed wasn't on Kansas City's radar, his power sure was.

October was a reliable month for the 34-year-old Stanton: His 12 homers in his first 30 postseason games are the third-most in major league history behind Carlos Beltran (14) and Nelson Cruz (13). Stanton's .633 postseason slugging percentage ranks fourth in franchise history (minimum 75 plate appearances).

“When the playoffs come around, he takes it to another level,” said right-hander Clark Schmidt, who allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings in his first career postseason start. “I think there's something to be said about players who can do that. He has done this throughout his career.

Added outfielder Alex Verdugo: “He's been there, done that, has the most success in the big leagues out of active players. To me, he's a potential future Hall of Famer. He is great in every way; He is a consummate professional who goes about his business in the right direction.”

Kyle Isbell and Michael Massey had run-scoring hits to chase Schmidt in the fifth, including a Massey triple that got past Juan Soto's diving effort to right field.

The Yankees' bullpen, which had been nailed throughout all three games of this ALDS, continued to burn as they held the loss there. Clay Holmes and Tommy Kahnle each recorded four outs ahead of Luke Weaver, who saved five outs to hold up Stanton's homer.

“Next season brings out the best in everyone,” Soto said. “[Stanton is] Really enjoying every moment, every second. He knows how to handle emotions in the playoffs. He's going through it like he always does.”