Yankees: 5 moments from 2021 that should reignite rivalry with Red Sox

2. Giancarlo Stanton’s go-ahead grand slam on Sept. 25

Giancarlo Stanton has owned the Red Sox across his 48 career games against them, but no hit was bigger for him (or for the Yankees, at least in recent memory) than his go-ahead grand slam with two outs in the top of the eighth inning on Sept. 25.

The Yankees trailed 2-1 and had Brett Gardner at the plate with two outs. He walked. Then Aaron Judge walked. Then Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch. One mound visit and one pitch later, it was 5-3 after Stanton demolished an offering from Darwinzon Hernandez over the Green Monster and into the streets of Boston.

How many times had the Yankees been in this position? Couldn’t string together hits. One run scored late in the game. Serving it up to their opponent on a silver platter. But we can safely assume Stanton was fed up with that narrative, which has left the Yankees battling for a Wild Card spot instead of a division title.

That home run turned the tides on the series and led to a sweep, with the Bombers taking control of the top ALWC spot. Stanton had three homers and 10 RBI in the series but that moment was the demoralizing back-breaker for Boston, even if they thought they’d survive the next night …

… which they didn’t.