NOW IT MATTERS

Stanton focused on first playoff push, not slump

BALTIMORE — Since Giancarlo Stanton got to within one homer of 300, he’s slipped considerably at the plate.

In Sunday’s 5-3 win over the Orioles, Stanton went hitless in five at-bats, with four strikeouts and is 5-for-27 with a double and 13 strikeouts in his past 35 plate appearances.

Despite the recent slide, Aaron Boone doesn’t believe his pursuit of 300 has impacted him.

“I don’t think so, but naturally as the days pass for a pretty big milestone, I understand the question,’’ Boone said. “I thought he was gonna get it tonight. I thought he got some pitches to hit.”

Stanton’s focus remains on getting to the postseason for the first time in his career.

“When every game matters, it’s always more fun,” Stanton said before the game.

His attitude isn’t surprising, considering that prior to this season, Stanton never played for a team that entered September more than two games over .500. For most of his eight years with the Marlins, the postseason was nothing more than a pipe dream by this point in the season.

But not this year, which is what Stanton says he expected when he agreed to the trade to the Yankees in December.

As he said at his introductory press conference following his December trade to the Yankees: “They’re young and they’re in a good position to win for a long time, and I lost for a long time. So I want to change that dynamic and be a winner.”

The biggest difference in the two situations, according to Stanton, is that he no longer can tell when his season is going to end by looking at the calendar.

“You’re planning your va- cation for Oct. 1,” Stanton said of what life was like with the Marlins.

Now, his viewpoint is much different.

“You’re planning for your team to be fighting against another team on that date,’’ Stanton said.

Stanton was back in right field Sunday for just the third time in 18 games as he nurses a tight left hamstring. He’s remained in the lineup while Aaron Judge (wrist) and Gary Sanchez (groin) continue to be unavailable.

“If I’m out there, I’m out there,” Stanton said of his health.

Stanton managed to make a nice running catch in the right field corner on a Craig Gentry fly to end the game.

“He came out of it well,’’ Boone said. “No doubt this is a tough stretch, but hopefully we can continue to protect him through that DH spot.”

Prior to Sunday, Stanton had reached base in 21 straight games, going 25-for-87 with 14 extrabase hits, a .429 on-base percentage and an OPS of 1.083 in that stretch.

Stanton — because he’s never been a part of a race for the division, or made a serious bid for the wild card — said he’s trying to educate himself about what to do.

“I’m learning as I watch and I ask questions if I need to,’’ Stanton said.

As for this year’s vacation, it’s on hold, at least for now.

“You plan vacations when you’re free, don’t you?” Stanton said. “I’m not worried about my vacation this year.”