When Aroldis Chapman, closer of the Boston Red Sox tossed a 1.17 ERA through 61.1 innings, the baseball world stopped scrolling. The 37‑year‑old left‑hander, born Feb. 28, 1988 in Cuba, has logged 32 saves, struck out 85 batters and lowered his WHIP to a jaw‑dropping 0.686 – numbers that belong in a Cy Young conversation, not a reliever’s résumé. His dominance helped the Red Sox (89‑73) cling to a wild‑card spot in the fiercely competitive American League East, keeping them within five games of the Yankees‑Blue Jays duopoly. Here’s why this late‑season burst matters for the award, the franchise and even the Hall of Fame debate.
Why Chapman’s 2025 Season Stands Out
Since the end of May, Chapman has been a one‑man shutdown unit. In his last 16 appearances he threw 13 2⁄3 innings, allowed just four walks, surrendered no earned runs and fanned 17 hitters. That translates to a strikeout‑per‑nine‑innings rate of 11.2 and a walk‑per‑nine‑innings rate of just 2.6 – a precision rarely seen from any reliever, let alone a veteran whose fastball still flashes 100 mph.
"He’s got the stuff, the mental edge, and the experience to make every out count," said Alex Cora, the Red Sox manager, speaking after the August 2 win over the Diamondbacks. "When you need a game‑saving inning, Aroldis is the guy you trust, period."
The numbers back his words. Chapman's opponent batting average sits at .167, and hitters have managed just 28 hits against him all season. By contrast, his walk total is the lowest he’s posted since his rookie year in 2010, indicating a dramatic shift from the free‑pass habit that plagued him in 2023‑24.
Statistical Breakdown
- Earned Run Average (ERA): 1.17
- Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP): 0.686
- Saves: 32 (tied for fifth in MLB)
- Strikeouts: 85 in 61.1 innings (13.5 K/9)
- Opponents’ batting average: .167
For context, the league‑average ERA for relievers sits around 3.95, and a WHIP below 1.00 is considered elite. Chapman’s figures not only eclipse those benchmarks, they dwarf the season‑long stats of most starting pitchers. Even the league’s top starter, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, posted a 2.84 ERA at the same point.
Reactions From Around the League
There’s a buzz in clubhouses from Boston to Detroit. Garrett Crochet, the Red Sox’s own fire‑baller, told reporters, "Aro’s work ethic pushes the whole staff. When he’s on a roll, it lifts the bullpen’s confidence instantly."
Even the New York Yankees, Boston’s arch‑rival, acknowledged the feat. Veteran broadcaster John Sterling remarked on air, "Normally you’d never think a reliever could snag a Cy Young talk, but Chapman’s numbers are impossible to ignore."
The baseball analytics community has joined the chorus. On FanGraphs, writer Carrie Muskat noted, "His Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) sits at 1.03, lower than any starter with at least 150 innings this year. If the voters value pure performance, Chapman is a serious candidate."
What This Means for the Cy Young Race
The Cy Young Award has traditionally been a starter’s arena. Since 1979, only eight relievers have ever been finalists. Chapman’s surge adds a fresh storyline to a race that currently features Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels), Zack Wheeler (Philadelphia Phillies) and the aforementioned Tarik Skubal.
Voters will weigh three factors: durability, dominance and impact on team success. While Chapman has fewer innings than his starter peers, his dominance is unparalleled, and his impact on Boston’s push for a wild‑card berth is undeniable. The Red Sox’s recent contract extension – a two‑year, $10 million deal signed on Aug. 5 – signals the organization’s belief that his value extends beyond mere saves.
Some analysts argue that his age (37) adds a narrative twist: “A veteran stepping up when younger arms are floundering,” they say. Others caution that a reliever’s limited workload could be a knock‑on in the eyes of voters who favor sustained performance over 180‑plus innings.
Historical Context and Hall of Fame Talk
Chapman’s 2025 resurgence resurrects an ongoing debate about relievers in the Hall of Fame. He already owns four NL All‑Star nods (2012‑2015), two World Series rings (2016 Cubs, 2023 Rangers) and a collection of reliever awards. Yet, like many specialists, his career totals (144 saves, 1,556 strikeouts) sit on the cusp of the Hall’s informal benchmarks.
Baseball historian John Thorn told the Boston Globe, "If you look at the trajectory of specialists – Goose Gossage, Rollie Finger – they needed a sustained period of dominance to break in. Chapman’s 2025 season might be that final push, especially if he repeats it next year."
Should Chapman clinch the Cy Young, it would be a rare endorsement of a reliever’s value, likely swaying Hall of Fame voters who have traditionally prioritized starters. Even without the award, the conversation has shifted: baseball’s analytics era is finally rewarding the high‑leverage work of closers.
Future Outlook
Boston’s schedule now pits them against the division‑leading Yankees in a pivotal three‑game series next week. If Chapman continues his shut‑down streak, the Red Sox could close the five‑game gap and force a tie‑breaker on the final day of the regular season. Beyond the chase, the real question is whether he can sustain this velocity and command into next year, or if this season will be a remarkable coda to an already legendary career.
Either way, the 2025 campaign has already cemented Chapman’s place in the lore of modern baseball – a left‑handed flamethrower who, at an age when many pitchers are winding down, still has the fire to rewrite the award conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Chapman’s performance affect the Red Sox’s playoff chances?
His 1.17 ERA and 32 saves have turned close games into wins, keeping Boston within five games of the AL East lead. If he remains dominant through the remaining 20 games, the Sox could either clinch a wild‑card spot or force a tie‑breaker for the division title.
What makes a reliever eligible for the Cy Young Award?
Eligibility isn’t defined by innings pitched; it’s about dominance and impact. Chapman’s sub‑1.00 WHIP, 0.686 WHIP and zero earned runs in his last 13.2 innings demonstrate a level of performance that rivals any starter’s season‑long stats.
Could Chapman’s 2025 season boost his Hall of Fame odds?
Yes. A Cy Young win would be a historic endorsement for a reliever and could push his career résumé—four All‑Star selections, two World Series rings, and now a potential award—above the informal Hall threshold for specialists.
How does Chapman’s 2025 performance compare to other elite relievers?
His 0.686 WHIP is the lowest among relievers with at least 50 innings in 2025, and his strikeout‑to‑walk ratio (5.66) tops the league. Only a handful of relievers, like Josh Hader in 2022, have posted comparable numbers.
What are the Red Sox’s plans for Chapman after the season?
The two‑year, $10 million extension signed on Aug. 5 keeps him in Boston through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028. The front office indicated they expect him to continue as the bullpen’s ace while mentoring younger arms.