The Yankees needed a spark. A four-game losing streak had started to wear on the clubhouse, and the offense lacked the pop fans had grown used to. That changed Monday night, even if the result in the standings didn’t. Giancarlo Stanton, sidelined since spring with elbow issues, returned to the lineup and reminded the crowd what kind of thunder he brings with his bat. New York fell to the Angels in 11 innings, but the real storyline was Stanton’s re-entry into the lineup.
Oddsmakers are keeping an eye on Stanton’s performance. For the last few weeks, the Yankees have been priced around +500 to +600 to win the 2025 World Series at various sportsbooks that, according to gambling expert Brett Curtis, accept a wide selection of cryptocurrencies to deposit, offer fast payouts, and even allow anonymous betting.
After Monday’s showing, the Yankees’ price may go up, reflecting renewed confidence that this team, at full strength, can match up with anyone in October. While one game doesn’t rewrite a season, Stanton’s presence immediately deepens the lineup and puts pressure on opposing pitching. The Yankees’ odds improving by that margin underscores just how much weight his bat carries, especially when healthy.
Stanton didn’t look like a player easing back into rhythm. He clocked three batted balls over 100 mph and covered the bases with confidence, including a sharp double to lead off the ninth. Fans greeted him with a roaring ovation when he stepped up with two on in the first, and though that particular at-bat ended in a groundout, it was hit hard. More importantly, he made it through the night without aggravating his elbows. After missing 70 games and almost 40 percent of the Yankees’ regular-season contests over the past six years, availability is as critical for Stanton as any swing metrics.
Manager Aaron Boone sounded cautiously optimistic, noting that the timing on fastballs already looked solid. What comes next is watching how Stanton holds up day-to-day and how the club manages his recovery between games. Boone admitted the team would need to rotate through designated hitters, with Ben Rice, Judge, and Goldschmidt all having filled in during Stanton’s absence. Rice, who has quietly hit 12 home runs this season, may slide into backup catcher duties to open DH time.
The front office also made a move to accommodate Stanton, designating Pablo Reyes for assignment. That may open room in the infield for more flexibility, but the primary focus remains Stanton’s ability to give the Yankees consistent power in the middle of the lineup. He finished last season with 27 home runs in just 114 games, then launched another seven in 14 playoff appearances. When locked in, he’s still one of the most dangerous hitters in the league.
This marks yet another chapter in a career that’s been as injury-riddled as it’s been explosive. Stanton has battled through a laundry list of muscle strains and joint issues since his 2018 debut in New York. At 35, questions about his durability remain valid. What’s also clear is that when he’s upright and swinging freely, he gives the Yankees something few others can.
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