MLBbro Giancarlo Stanton is the MVP of the ALCS and the New York Yankees are going to the World Series.
The Yankees defeated the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in Game 5 of the ALCS on Saturday to close out a tremendous series to send them to World Series for the first time since 2009.
Yes, Juan Soto was the one to finish the deal with a three-run blast in the tenth inning, but it was a clutch, two-run 446-foot moonshot in the sixth inning that put Soto in a position to do it.
Healthy, dominant, and terrifyingly locked in, Stanton is crushing everything he touches. When it comes to the ALCS I mean that literally with Giancarlo having four hits in the series and all of them ended up in the bleachers.
Giancarlo “Playoff” Stanton: Are We Entertained? Yes. Shocked? Not Even the Slightest.
“Playoff” Stanton earned his MVP honors with four hits, four homeruns and seven RBIs to catapult the Yanks to their first World Series appearance in 15 years.
As electrifying as his performance was, should we be surprised by it? The answer is simple… No.
In fact, Stanton’s postseason numbers are historic with him having 16 homeruns in 36 games. This places him fourth in team history, surpassing Babe Ruth (15) who needed five more games (41) to do it. He also passes fellow MLBbro and American League MVP front runner Aaron Judge who has 15 postseason bro bombs of his own.
Giancarlo Stanton Wants World Series Ring: His Health Produces Wealth
The ALCS MVP trophy is nice, and the accomplishments are dope, but there’s only one thing on Giancarlo’s mind and that’s winning a ring in pinstripes.
“We got it all, we know we have it with this group. We’re going to enjoy this for right now but it’s an uphill battle from here and we gotta get it done.” Stanton would say about his goal in capturing his first World Series championship.
While Aaron Judge is usually the focal point of the Yankees’ success, the mere presence of Stanton in the Yanks lineup is pivotal and it’s bearing fruit this postseason.
Even with the star power of Judge and Soto, the Yankees struggled to a 23-25 record without the massive power bat of Stanton in the lineup. GM Brian Cashman was very critical of big G’s injury woes during the offseason.
Was it due to the 32 million on the books for Stanton? Or was it that Cashman knew Stanton was the key to unlocking championship number 28?
You’d have ask him that question but what cannot be disputed is Giancarlo Stanton is healthy, he is the ALCS MVP and the Yankees are four wins away from being 2024 World Series Champions.
You’re a two-time World Series champion, an American League MVP, an eight-time All-Star, a six-time Silver Slugger award winner, a member of the 30-30 club, part of three All-MLB first teams and these aren’t even half of your accolades.
You’re smack dab in the middle of your prime and still one of the most dangerous hitters In Major League Baseball today with a batting average of .303, 15 bro bombs, 62 RBI and 65 runs scored for the World Series favorites. You’re also known for being clutch.
Sunday August 25, 2024; Mookie Betts #50 of the Dodgers during the game. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays by the final score of 3-1 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Kevin Reece for MLBbro.com)
It’s the tenth inning, you’re up 3-2 with a runner on base. You’re standing on the on-deck circle when something happens. They don’t pitch to the person in front of you; they walk him intentionally… to get to you.
Sure, that person is Shohei Ohtani, but something isn’t adding up. When it comes to the LA Dodgers lineup. You pick your poison.
The “Respect” Won’t Be Tolerated from Betts
That feeling you just felt is a little something called disrespect. That had to be the feeling MLBbro Mookie Betts felt on Tuesday night, when Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington decided to walk Shohei Ohtani to try his luck at getting Betts out instead.
“You’re picking your poison when you deal with the first three hitters (Ohtani, Betts, Freeman). I wasn’t going to let Ohtani swing there, and I have all the respect in the world for Mookie Betts.” Washington said via Bally Sports West.
We get that it’s Sho… but walking anybody to get to #MLBbro Mookie Betts just doesn’t sit right with me 🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/8IW6Bbx9yi
As Rapper Jadakiss would say that sounds good… but it’s not enough. The Angels would pay for this showing of “respect”. On the first pitch Mookie would hit a 3-run homer to blow the game wide open for the Dodgers.
Be Careful What You Wish For
“Yeah, that doesn’t happen often so I kind of black out.” Mookie would say about the strategy of fellow MLBbro Washington. “They walked Sho to get to me, and I was just like alright I mean, if that’s what you want.”
"You know, they walked Sho to get to me, and I was just like, alright." Mookie Betts with @kirsten_watson on his 3-run homer in the 10th. pic.twitter.com/7FbEB94h5W
In fairness I understand the strategy of walking Shohei Ohtani (who’s having a monster season on pace to become the first member of the 50/50 club). Here’s the thing. I understand it, if it’s to anybody EXCEPT Mookie Betts.
“I was hoping Contreras could make a pitch, get a ground ball, and get us a double play and keep the game at (2). First pitch, he left in the middle of the plate and up, and Mookie didn’t miss it. That’s what he gets paid for” Washington would say about the homerun.
Indeed, this is a scenario where MLBbro Mookie Betts gets paid to show up in. Unfortunately for the Angels, it was their turn to pay the tab.
After being designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers due to a log jam at outfield with the return of Mookie Betts and acquisitions of Tommy Edman and Kevin Kiermaier, MLBbro Jason Heyward has cleared waivers and is signing with the Houston Astros to give them much needed depth at the position.
The Astros star outfielder Kyle Tucker is currently making his way back from a shin contusion he suffered on June 3 and Mauricio Dubon has been shaky at the plate. This gives the veteran bat and five-time Gold Glove winner Heyward plenty of opportunity to showcase his ability to get the playing time he deserves.
Age Aint Nothing But a Number… J-Hey Still Gets It Done
While with the Dodgers the 35-year-old Heyward slashed .208/ .289/ .393 with six homers and 28 RBIs in 63 games this season. Yes, the average is down, but if you look at Heyward’s career its par for when he has decreased playing time.
In 2022 while with the Chicago Cubs, Heyward batted a career low .204 average in 137 at bats but spent most of the year on IL due to a quadricep strain.
Let’s dive a little deeper. If we look at Dubon’s numbers he’s slashed for .255/ .284/ .359 with four homers and 38 RBIs in 2024. Here’s the kicker… He’s had 329 at bats compared to Heyward’s 173. That’s right, almost double the opportunity. It seems with Tucker out, J-Hey is exactly what the Astros need.
Championship Experience on a Contender Is Like Pringles… You Can Never Have Enough
The Astros are currently 3½ games ahead of the Seattle Mariners for first place in the AL West and looking to win their second World Series since 2022 under Dusty Baker.
Having Heyward in the locker room for the home stretch of the season may do wonders since he has playoff and World Series experience, having played in 46 post-season games and winning a championship with the Cubs in 2016; where his leadership was shown in the biggest game of his career and for the franchise.
Heyward led an inspiring player’s only meeting in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series during a 17-minute rain delay, that many players credit for lighting the fire to get them over the hump to win their first championship in 108 years.
Maybe J-Hey can catch lightning in a bottle again for Houston. He’ll get the opportunity.
The future for the Washington Nationals is here and they couldn’t be more excited. MLBbro James Wood is set to make his Major League debut on July 1 against the New York Mets.
The 6’7″ power-hitting phenom who draws comparisons to fellow MLBbro Aaron Judge, is bringing with him a much-needed power dynamic to a lineup currently ranked 29th in home runs.
The Nats Number One came over in a blockbuster deal in 2022 with the San Diego Padres for Juan Soto, who is currently starring for the Yankees. That deal also included Nats shortstop CJ Abrams and starting pitcher Mackenzie Gore.
The former 2021 second-round pick has already put on a show for Nationals fans by showcasing his power during spring training when he hit four Bro Bombs.
The Evidence is There, James Wood is Ready for the Show
Since then, he’s been terrorizing the minor leagues for the Red Wings in Triple-A Rochester with a slash line of .346/.458/ .578 in 185 at bats with 64 hits, 34 RBIs, 10 home runs, and 10 stolen bases.
As easy as it is to get caught up on how great Wood can be offensively, there’s immense potential on the defensive side as well.
With size, speed, and agility that can be utilized at any outfield position, Wood established a 1.000 fielding percentage while playing all three positions. Something the Nationals can use since their defense is currently ranked 17th in the Majors.
If there’s one message from the Nats clubhouse about who’s on the way, it’s that Wood is legit. Outfielder Harold Ramirez who had a recent debut of his own on June 24th played seven games with James in Triple A and has seen the potential star power himself. “It’s unbelievable how he plays.” Ramirez said expressing compliments for Wood. “I hear he’s going to be here soon. He’s a very good player.”
Manager Dave Martinez was mum on the call-up ahead of Friday’s game but couldn’t hide his excitement for the possibility of coaching his young phenom. “I cannot confirm nor deny the rumors,” Martinez would say with a smirk. “But I will say this: I’m very excited when he does get here. He’s an outstanding kid and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
In every sport they always warn about a potential sophomore slump. For MLBbro Taj Bradley, it seemed when the season began that term was destined to be his fate.
The Tampa Bay Rays had high expectation for Bradley coming into this season, following a rookie campaign where he flashed serious ace potential, but was derailed early due to a Pectoral Strain he suffered in spring training, causing him to miss the first six weeks of the season.
Tay Bradley Getting Back Into The Groove
When the 23-year-old second year melanated mound marauder returned, he was immediately thrown into the fire with matchups against the top teams in the AL East (NY Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox) equipped with a murderer’s row of lineups to get through.
Something any pitcher — let alone a sophomore phenom coming off injury — would struggle with which explains his 2-4 record.
However, if we look at the numbers this is not the up and down season Bradley had in his rookie campaign. His dominance is starting to show now that he is healthy and finding his footing in the Rays rotation.
Bradley’s Record Doesn’t Tell the Full Story: Tampa Rays Not Scoring For Him
Regardless of his early struggles, Taj Bradley’s numbers are significantly better across the board with a 3.81 ERA with 61 strikeouts and batters only hitting .213 against him. Not to mention the nasty splitter that’s been overpowering hitters, as evidenced by his 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings (top ten in MLB).
So, the question is with improvement being shown, why the 2-4 record? We should look no further than the other side of the plate.
The Rays aren’t putting up a bunch of runs on the board to support our MLBbro. They currently rank 26th out of 30 teams in home runs (70) and tied for 19th with a .236 batting average.
Bradley Pitching Great, Losing Games
If we dive deeper into Brantley’s record, two out of his four losses he only gave up one earned run with seven strikeouts. If we look at the final box score for both games, there’s a goose egg for Tampa Bay.
Taj Bradley has a bright future, and the numbers prove that he is only getting better. If our MLBbro can get a little more help from his hitters, the W’s will come.
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