Blue Jays' have an upcoming problem to face in the form of Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman.
Photo credit: https://sports.yahoo.com/
The Toronto Blue Jays have made relatively easy work of the Boston Red Sox this season going 7-3 against them so far in 2025.
However this is not the same Red Sox team the Blue Jays faced earlier this season, they have dramatically improved since then, and their bullpen is the biggest reason why.
Throughout his 16-year MLB career, Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman has never been afraid to show some excitement on the mound.
Chapman's signature celebration, which he started using repeatedly over the years, is a stare down of the opposing hitter after a strikeout.
Early in the season while facing the Blue Jays, the 37-year-old lefty had another opportunity to break out the infamous stare against his American League East rival.
Tied at six in the bottom of the ninth, Chapman needed one more out to send Wednesday's game to extra innings.
Facing Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Chapman whipped a 101.9 mph fastball past his bat to end the inning.
Of course, a stare down of Guerrero followed the strikeout. Surprisingly, the Blue Jays star smiled back at Chapman.
«He's [Guerrero] a great kid, a great player,» Chapman said about Guerrero through translator Carlos Villoria Benitez. «He loves the game. He's a good kid. We have a great relationship off the field, and we were just having fun.»
Even though Chapman won the seven-pitch individual battle with Guerrero, the Blue Jays won the game 7-6 on a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th by catcher Alejandro Kirk.
Aroldis Chapman hasn't allowed a HIT in 41 consecutive batters
A lot has changed for Chapman since his last encounter with the Blue Jays.
A lot like 35-year old George Springer, Chapman is arguably having the best season of his 16-year MLB career, despite this being his age-37 campaign.
He's striking out 38.7% of his opponents with a sensational 1.04 ERA and 1.83 FIP across 52 innings of work and has picked up 26 saves.
His 7.3% walk rate is considerably better than average for a reliever, and that's the only way opposing hitters have been able to get on base of late.
Aroldis Chapman struck out the side to complete the save and hasn't allowed a HIT in 41 consecutive batters
As noted by Tim Healey of the Boston Globe, Chapman has recorded 41 consecutive outs without allowing a hit.
It's an incredible stretch that dates back all the way back to July 26. The Red Sox face the Orioles in the final game of a four-game series today.
Chapman has already faced Baltimore three times during this no-hit stretch, including twice during this series.
The Blue Jays have 40 comeback wins this season. the most in the American League.
The Jays will need to put up some runs to avoid having to make a comeback or facing Chapman who can now quickly close things out.
The Blue Jays currently lead the Red Sox in the AL East standings by 3.5 games and have an upcoming three-game set against them on September 23rd at Rogers Centre.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 28 | 186 ANSWERS Blue Jays' have an upcoming problem to face in the form of Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman. Who will win the AL East? | ||
| Toronto Blue Jays | 132 | 71 % |
| Boston Red Sox | 25 | 13.4 % |
| New York Yankees | 17 | 9.1 % |
| Too early to tell | 12 | 6.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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