It had been 41 days since Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton last occupied the same lineup, and judging by the 1,000-kilowatt grin that manager Aaron Boone flashed prior to Friday’s series opener against the Red Sox, the Yankees could not be more thrilled to have their slugging duo take aim at Fenway Park’s Green Monster.

“It’s great, getting those guys back here,” Boone said. “As we get them their at-bats, hopefully they’re finding their rhythm and timing. Building them up properly is huge. But having them both in there, I’m certainly excited about that.”

Stanton hit one of the Yankees’ six home runs in Thursday’s 10-7 victory over the Blue Jays, participating in a five-homer fourth inning as part of a four-hit performance. It was Stanton’s second game since returning from a left hamstring strain sustained on Aug. 8 at Tropicana Field.

Judge returned to the lineup on Wednesday against Toronto, going hitless in four at-bats during New York’s 13-2 victory. It was Judge’s second game since Aug. 11 due to a right calf strain, which he reinjured on Aug. 26.

“I’m excited about what those guys can do together on the field,” outfielder Brett Gardner said. “They make everybody else around them in the lineup better, too. It makes the lineup so tough to navigate for the opposing pitchers.”

Boone has said the plan is to have Judge and Stanton play back-to-back games, then rest, then play three or four games consecutively with the intent of being ready to be in the lineup for every postseason game.

“Blinders on, throttle down,” Boone said. “We’ve started to play really well. I think this team clearly knows what we’re driving for. We want to put ourselves in position to win a championship. You’re starting to feel it in the weather. It’s that time of year.”

More to come
Gardner said that while this has been a “frustrating” season on a personal level, the longest-tenured Yankee envisions himself continuing his career beyond 2020.

“I would love to play,” Gardner said. “This season hasn't gone how I wanted from a numbers standpoint, but recently I have felt much better. I definitely don't want my last games played to be in front of no fans. I would love for my family to have the chance to see me play again.”

The 37-year-old Gardner entered Friday batting .198/.333/.387 in 42 games, with five homers and 14 RBIs.

“I feel great, and I feel like I can still do it,” Gardner said. “We'll just see what happens in a few months. Right now I’m just focused on this team and trying to go into the playoffs strong, and hopefully win the World Series.”

Call of home
The Yankees (29-21) entered play on Friday as the No. 5 seed, trailing the Twins (31-21) by one game in the American League postseason chase.

• Postseason standings

The top four seeds will host a Wild Card Series at their home stadiums, and even though the Yankees would not be able to play in front of their fans, Boone said there would be value in having those games take place in the Bronx.

“It's home,” Boone said. “It's our clubhouse and facility, our video and cage and weight-room setup. You know where to go to eat and all the protocols that you go through in this environment. It's certainly something that I think provides a little bit of comfort.”

This date in Yankees history
Sept. 18, 2010: CC Sabathia became a 20-game winner for the first and only time of his career, notching the milestone in an 11-3 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards. Sabathia would finish the season with 21 wins, leading the Majors, while posting a 3.18 ERA and pacing the AL with 34 starts.