Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton has strong words for ALDS matchup vs Tampa

New York Yankees, Giancarlo Santon
Oct 18, 2019; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) reacts after striking out against the Houston Astros during the first inning of game five of the 2019 ALCS playoff baseball series at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

After taking down the Cleveland Indians in a two-game sweep this week, the New York Yankees are now gearing up for the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays. Of course, the bad blood built between the two teams will likely find its way into the series, especially with the World Series on the line.

However, it will be a dogfight, as the Yankees are coming off a fantastic outing against Cleveland in which they posted 22 total runs over two games. The Rays, on the other hand, swept the Blue Jays in two games, posting 11 total runs. Their offense wasn’t as potent, but their pitching held Toronto to just three overall runs.

Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton is excited about the idea of playing Tampa on the West Coast:

“Who would’ve thought we’d be facing Tampa Bay in San Diego when this year started? It’s good,” Stanton said. “We know what they got, we know it’s gonna be a fight, and we’ve got to play our best. … We ready, we ready. It’s gonna be fun. It’s gonna be a good fight, to take this East Coast battle to the West Coast.”

It’s no secret that the Rays have stellar starting pitching, composed primarily of Tyler Glasnow, Charlie Morton, and Blake Snell.

“They’re power arms,” he said. “It’s gonna be power vs. power. We got to stay in our strike zone, have good at-bats and wear ’em down. You got to wear these guys down from top to bottom of our lineup and force them to make a mistake.”

With the team’s chirping back and forth during the regular season, meeting in the postseason was written in the stars. Now, the Yankees have an opportunity to take down their kryptonite in a series that truly matters.

“At the end of the day, it’s series like this that make the statement — not anything else,” Stanton said.