The Boston Red Sox are about to get a huge shot in the arm for their bullpen, with closer Aroldis Chapman expected back on the mound any day now. Manager Chad Tracy told MassLive’s Christopher Smith on Tuesday that he thinks they are “a day or two away from him being ready to roll.” That’s massive news for a team gearing up for a high-stakes postseason. Chapman has been sidelined for the last five games while battling a lat injury, with his last appearance coming back on September 13.
The Monster Closer They Need Back
It is no secret how vital Chapman is to that Red Sox bullpen. The team hasn’t been overly concerned about his lat injury being a long-term problem, and honestly, who could blame them? The guy has been an absolute machine this season, earning his second straight All-Star nod at just 28 years old. He has been nothing short of an elite closer, shutting down opponents when it matters most and consistently performing at the top tier of the league. Losing a player of that caliber for even a few games is tough, but heading into October without him at full strength would be a disaster. Getting him back, and soon, is exactly what the Red Sox need to feel confident.
A Wild Card Showdown at Yankee Stadium
The timing of Chapman’s return could not be more critical. The Red Sox’s top priority right now is making sure he is absolutely ready to dominate for October baseball. All signs point to Boston facing off against the New York Yankees in a best-of-three Wild Card Series in the Bronx, with the postseason kicking off on September 29. Talk about a heavyweight bout! This is where Chapman can truly shine, especially with his storied history in Yankee Stadium. He spent seven seasons with the Yankees in his career, so he knows that mound like the back of his hand. Opponents in his career have hit a ridiculous .168 against him there. Plus, he has racked up 88 career saves in Yankee Stadium with a stellar 3.10 ERA. Even this season, in four innings pitched against the Yankees, he has given up only three hits and piled up four strikeouts. Those numbers speak for themselves.
The Red Sox are going to need Chapman at his absolute best if they have any hopes of making a deep run in the postseason. With a potential Wild Card showdown against his old team, in their house, on the horizon, every pitch is going to matter. Get ready for some fireworks when Chapman rolls in for that first game.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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