Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees runs to first after hitting an RBI double during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium on April 04, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images He can’t open a bag of chips, but Giancarlo Stanton is looking healthy at the plate for the Yankees early on in the 2026 MLB season.
The Bombers slugger was hitting .341/.372/.463 with a home run and a pair of doubles in 10 games heading into Thursday’s play.
The underlying metrics show that his body must be feeling great.
Stanton’s average bat speed (78.9 miles per hour) remains one of the fastest in the league, trailing only Junior Caminero (79.7 mph) among qualified hitters.
After a frigid few days in the Big Apple, Stanton and the Yankees head south to Tampa Bay, where they will play in the cozy, domed confines of Tropicana Field.
While Tropicana isn’t much of a hitter’s park, it should be much more comfortable at the plate this weekend than what the Yanks dealt with in New York of late.
Stanton gets a matchup he’s enjoyed in the past as well.
Rays starter Steven Matz has struggled setting down Stanton over the years.
New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) hits a single during the 7th inning when the New York Yankees played the Miami Marlins Sunday, April 5, 2026 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post In 20 career plate appearances against the southpaw, Stanton is hitting .333/.400/.667 with two long balls.
Matz has looked solid so far this season, his first with the Rays, but he’s faced some so-so competition in the Twins and Cardinals.
If they get to Matz early, Stanton may get an even easier task.
Rays relievers have been awful this season, posting a 6.70 ERA heading into Thursday’s games, which is the second-highest in the league.
Look for Stanton to have a big night against the left-hander and the Rays’ bullpen.
The play: Giancarlo Stanton to go over 1.5 total bases (+140, Fanatics Sportsbook)
Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
