While it’s usually dangerous to alter the batting order halfway through the postseason, the New York Yankees have a fantastic chance to energize the top half of their lineup. Austin Wells, the clean-up hitter, had a lacklustre start, and the squad could need to change course to maintain their offensive momentum.
Austin Wells has had a really difficult postseason run through the first six games. Without an extra-base hit, he’s hitting just.083/.154/.083, striking out at a startling 38.5% rate. It is imperative for the Yankees to avoid having a weak position in their lineup behind their greatest hitters, especially with superstar slugger Aaron Judge reportedly emerging from his slump.
To bat behind Gleyber Torres, Juan Soto, and Judge, the Yankees need a dependable hitter who can smash the ball and reach base. Giancarlo Stanton is that guy; he deserves to be the cleanup hitter again after starting the postseason on a scorching note.
Stanton had a decent 116 wRC+ and blasted 27 home runs during the regular season, but overall, it was a pretty quiet one. Batting.233 with a.298 OBP, he recorded a strikeout rate of 31.2%. Stanton’s regular season performance was mediocre at best by most accounts. What really matters, though, is that the Yankees are starting to witness MVP-caliber play in the postseason.
Stanton has slashed his strikeout rate to 7.7% in 26 plate appearances this postseason, slashing.309/.385/.652. With two massive home runs, five RBIs, and an astounding 183 wRC+, he has outperformed the typical MLB hitter by 83% in the postseason. Manager Aaron Boone is really thinking about moving Stanton up one spot in the batting order given his current level of play.The Yankees need Stanton’s bat to support their best hitters, particularly in light of Wells’ current struggles. The most effective course of action appears to be to start Jose Trevino against left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd on Thursday night. Trevino’s ability to play both defence and offence gives the squad a better chance to reach its full potential.The Yankees’ offence might become a force to be reckoned with if Stanton can continue to produce in the postseason. Stanton has the ability to lead by example and routinely drive in runs because of his competitive at-bats and better plate discipline. It seemed inevitable that the lineup will shift, and Boone is ready to make the move.
