Aroldis

Chapman

Chapman was summoned to record the final out of the eighth inning after a masterful effort from Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet before coming back out to protect a two-run lead in the final frame after Alex Bregman added some additional insurance with a run-scoring double. It took just five pitches for New York to load the bases on three consecutive hits from Paul Goldschmidt, Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger, which put the tying runs in scoring position. He punched out Giancarlo Stanton on a nasty 92 mph splitter before coaxing a harmless fly out from Jazz Chisholm Jr. and striking out Trent Grisham on a foul tip to preserve the series-opening win.

Chapman came on after the Red Sox scratched out single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to pull even with the Tigers. He allowed a leadoff double to Justyn-Henry Malloy and pinch-runner Zach McKinstry advanced to third base with just one out, but Chapman battled back to strike out Wenceel Perez and Spencer Torkelson to end the threat. He then became the beneficiary as the Red Sox walked it off. Chapman has been unbelievable this season, compiling a 1.17 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and an 85/15 K/BB ratio over 61 1/3 innings while notching 32 saves in 34 opportunities.

Chapman did have a costly misstep in a tie game against the Diamondbacks a couple of weeks ago, but he’s converted 15 straight save chances. The save tonight was his 367th, moving him into a tie with Jeff Reardon for 12th all-time. His next will put him even with Jonathan Papelbon.

Chapman took the mound to close out the game after the Red Sox took a three-run lead in the top of the ninth. He worked around a walk, striking out one batter to lock down his 31st save of the season to go with an incredible 1.21 ERA and 83 strikeouts over 59 1/3 innings.

Once again Chapman made it look awfully easy in this one, getting Paul Goldschmidt on a ground ball to shortstop, Jazz Chisholm Jr. on a bouncer to second and Jose Caballero on a swinging third strike to end it. The 37-year-old left-hander has been unbelievable this season, registering a 1.26 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and an 82/14 K/BB ratio over 57 1/3 innings while converting 30 of his 32 save chances.

Chapman, who was brought into a 4-4 game to start the bottom of the ninth, had faced 50 straight batters without allowing a hit before giving a Shea Langeliers double to start things off today. The A’s then won it on a Lawrence Butler single with one out. Chapman had dragged his ERA all of the way down to 0.98 coming into this one. He’s up to 1.14 now.

Chapman came on after the Red Sox scored three times in the top half of the ninth inning to take a 7-4 lead. He started the inning by punching out Blaze Alexander. He then got Ildemaro Vargas on a swinging third strike, but Vargas reached on a wild pitch. Not to worry though, as Chapman would go on to strike out Tyler Locklear and Jordan Lawlar to close it out. He has been absolutely sublime this season, posting a minuscule 0.98 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and an 81/14 K/BB ratio over 55 innings while converting 29 of his first 31 save chances.

Chapman struck out one and didn’t allow a baserunner. The 37-year-old is now up to 28 saves on the season to go along with a 1.00 ERA. Now that we know he will be back in Boston next season, we have to approach him as a clear top-ten closer in baseball.

The deal locks up the star southpaw through the 2026 season at a guarantee of $13.3 million and includes a vesting mutual option for the 2027 campaign. If he reaches a certain innings threshold, the 2027 option would be guaranteed as well, earning a total of $26 million over the two years. He has certainly earned the extension with his work in 2025 — posting a minuscule 1.02 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and a 76/14 K/BB ratio over 53 innings while converting 27 of his first 29 save chances.

It’s Chapman’s 15th straight hitless appearance. The future AL Reliever of the Month, he finishes August having faced one batter over the minimum in 11 scoreless outings, earning eight saves and a win in the process.