Yankees React to Giancarlo Stanton’s Career Milestone During Orioles Game

"450 HRs. Congratulations, Giancarlo," they said.

Stanton is now 41st on MLB's all-time home run list, and is two behind Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski for 40th. The 2024 ALCS MVP is also baseball's active home run leader, as Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout is second with 399.

Giancarlo Stanton Mashing Homers at Torrid Pace

Stanton's home run also tied him for 65th in baseball this season, matching Trout, Athletics outfielder Lawrence Buttler, San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford, Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez, Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager, Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer, and Yankees catcher Austin Wells. The difference is that those other players have each played 100-plus games.

If Stanton can maintain this momentum in the playoffs, New York will have a chance to return to the World Series. The club no longer has generational star Juan Soto, but it does have an MLB-leading seven players with 20-plus homers. Additionally, shortstop Anthony Volpe entered Saturday with 19.

That type of offense will always keep teams competitive if the pitching holds up. Unfortunately for the Yankees, they entered Saturday ranked 17th in baseball with a 4.01 ERA, putting them slightly below average.

Part of the reason for their pitching woes is that ace hurler Gerrit Cole is out for the season with a torn UCL. However, their bullpen is the team's weakest unit, as it was tied for seventh-worst in baseball with a 4.55 ERA entering Saturday.

New York must hope that its offense and starting rotation carry it to its first title since 2009. Southpaw Max Fried entered Saturday leading MLB with 18 wins, while fellow southpaw Carlos Rodón was fourth with 16.

Up next for the Yankees is their series finale against the Orioles on Sunday.