Giancarlo Stanton's incredible series at Boston restores Yankees' wildest dreams

BOSTON – Thunder. Silence. Repeat.

Giancarlo Stanton wrecked Fenway Park this weekend, crushing important home runs in all three games – an essential part of the Yankees’ incredible series sweep.

And each wallop made another instant impact, turning raucous Red Sox fans as quiet as churchgoers.

The Yankees’ best-case scenario was Boston's worst nightmare, and the party on the field continued into the visiting clubhouse following Sunday night’s 6-3 win.

“Pretty raucous,’’ said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, describing the indoor scene. “Feels like a family coming together.’’

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Punching back 

Stanton had a run like this in last year’s playoffs when he became the first MLB player to hit at least six home runs in his team’s first five postseason games.

Silence followed those shots, too, with no one in the stands due to the pandemic.

Eventually, the Yankees’ lineup went quiet against the Tampa Bay Rays, who moved on to the World Series.

A year later, the incredible Rays have already clinched the AL East and are waiting to see how this bloody fight for the wild card is settled between the Yanks, Sox and Blue Jays.

But after spending their previous weekend at home, losing two dreadful games to Cleveland (combined score of 22-4), the Yankees keep moving to the center of the ring.

“The story of our season is getting punched in the face and coming back,’’ said DJ LeMahieu. “We’re used to it at this point.’’

'This is my whole life'

As always, there were a few pockets of Yankees fans amid Fenway’s sold-out crowds, getting shouted down whenever a "Let’s Go Yankees" chant began.

They witnessed the Yankees’ first three-game sweep at Boston since 2015 and saw the Yanks vault the Red Sox for the top AL wild card spot.

If the current picture holds, with six games remaining, the Red Sox will have to visit Yankee Stadium for the Oct. 5 wild card game, with the winner advancing to the Division Series.

Of course, it took some smart, collective at-bats, enough good pitching, and a series of Red Sox mistakes for the Yankees to leave Boston in full command of their playoff fate.

But they don’t get there without Stanton’s 7-for-12, with a double, three homers and 10 RBI.

“I’m just ready to go, a lot on the line for our season,’’ Stanton said. “It’s a big time right now, so I’ve got to make sure I’m the most prepared that I can be.

“This is my whole life. It’s good to be able to contribute and help the team out.’’

Make room, Mickey

To review, here’s how Stanton helped out:

Friday’s three-run homer off Nathan Eovaldi gave the Yanks a 6-0 lead in the third inning, on the way to an 8-3 win.

Saturday’s eighth-inning grand slam off Darwinzon Hernandez erased a one-run deficit in the Yanks’ 5-3 win.

Sunday’s two-run blast off Adam Ottavino followed Aaron Judge’s go-ahead, two-run double, capping another four-run eighth inning comeback in a 6-3 win.

According to ESPN’s research, Mickey Mantle (in 1954) is the only other Yankee to record 10 RBI against the Red Sox in one series.

So, here was another reminder of how dangerous the Yankees can be, how the deep and unforgiving lineup was supposed to look.

October encore 

When he’s healthy and hunting fastballs, Stanton can reproduce parts of his 2017 MVP season in Miami, when he was the game’s most fearsome hitter.

“It’s a man that really hasn’t gotten enough credit for what he’s done, one of the biggest superstars in the game coming to New York,’’ said Judge.

“That’s why I love having him hitting behind me. I know if I don’t get the job done…Big G’s going to pick us up. He’s one of the leaders on this team and he’s been a leader for a long time.’’

Can he lead them through October? 

After this weekend in New England, all the brightest possibilities for the Yankees are in play once again.

Follow Pete Caldera on Twitter: @pcaldera