Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Slaten to return:
The Red Sox are set to welcome right-hander Justin Slaten back from the injured list today. Slaten went down with shoulder inflammation back in May and has been sidelined ever since. Slaten made his big league debut with Boston in 2024 after being plucked from the Rangers in the 2023 Rule 5 draft and has been excellent. The 27-year-old touts a 3.09 ERA and 2.78 FIP in 78 2/3 big league innings. This year, Slaten pitched in 24 games with a 3.47 ERA and 3.09 FIP. While those numbers are a bit higher than last year, he should still be an asset to the Red Sox bullpen down the stretch. Slaten is on the 60-day injured list, but no 40-man roster move will need to be made to accommodate him after Abraham Toro’s recent DFA opened up a 40-man spot.
2. Chapman’s no-hit streak:
Sticking with the Boston bullpen, closer Aroldis 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. As noted by Tim Healey of the Boston Globe, Chapman has recorded 35 consecutive outs without allowing a hit. It’s an incredible stretch that dates 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.
3. Pitchers’ duel in San Francisco:
The Cubs and Giants are wrapping up a three-game set at Oracle Park later today, and it’ll end with an impressive pitching matchup. Right-hander Logan Webb is set to take the mound for the home team in the midst of an excellent season where he’s pitched to a 3.13 ERA with a spectacular 2.60 FIP. His 166 2/3 innings pitched lead the majors, and he’s striking out a strong 26% of batters faced while issuing walks at just a 5.4% clip. Webb’s opponent will be southpaw Shota Imanaga, who has a sterling 3.03 ERA in 19 starts this season. His 4.33 FIP leaves much to be desired, but he’s looked more like himself in August: 2.33 ERA, 3.01 FIP, 28.1% strikeout rate in his past four starts. This afternoon’s game is scheduled to begin at 12:45pm local time.
The baby bears are not looking good on the mound. When SFG hits your lefties there is definitely a problem.
Congratulations to Chapman. So many teams gave up on him, including my team. Is Chapman a Hall of Famer? Especially after helping the Cubs break the curse of the Billy Goat?
Mnyf
I believe so. He was much watch when he broke in with the Reds. He was throwing 105 mph before 100 became routine. Especially if he can continue his late career resurgence.
I think Chapman is a Hall of Famer, especially if he keeps playing for a few more years. 16 years of 14+ K/9, 164 ERA+, 2.38 FIP, eight All-Stars, and two rings. 361 saves and counting.
Chappie has been unreal!!! Raise your hand if you thought between 2016 till now at any time he was cooked… Possibly/ arguably the Redsox MVP this year…
Yes, pretty incredible how the pitching for the Red Sox has been and anchored by the back end here with Chapman.
All four of yesterday‘s pitchers, including starter Bello have an ERA less than 3 on the season. Outstanding.
Then of course, crochet and Giolito are two starters pitching very well too.
Sox just need some timely offense and hopefully Trevor story stays hot or scoring runs could be a problem.
Chapman has been on an unbelievable roll
11 2/3 consecutive innings of no hit ball. Cy Young votes for sure. Red Sox MVP. Should also receive league MVP votes. I will admit I was not all that high on his signing.
Hopefully Slaten can be the 7th inning guy, followed by Whitlock,then the BIG man. Tough to complain about Coras usage of the pen.
Don’t worry, someone will show up to complain about Cora. I mean, the sun came up today.
Whz
Yeah, I’m waiting for the complaints about Coras lineup last night. I will admit having Duran batting cleanup ,followed by Rafaela was kind of perplexing. But they did go 4 for 8 with a 2 runs ,2 ribs. Cora is pushing the proper buttons.
Also. I want to see Tolle vs Skenes on Saturday. That would be an event!! I would like to know whose decision is it Breslows ? Coras?..
Cora credited the bench coach for the lineup. If guys are comfortable in more than one lineup spot, it’s a good idea to mix things up. Only keep them in one spot if that’s how they flourish.
It always is and it will always be about PITCHING. The Sox now have 2 starters with sub-3 eras. The Sox have an ace in Crochet,a # 2 in Bello and Giolito (3.47 era) as a #3.. That’s 3 top of the rotation starters to go along with a dominate bullpen. They may have the best staff in baseball. I do like the Brewers staff. Z.Wheelers unfortunate injury really hurts. Seattles staff is great at home not so much on the road. Getting at least the top wildcard is paramount for this team to make a deep playoff run.
Sadly, the Red Sox have pushed all the right buttons in every aspect. Signing and trading for the right players. The player development they have is unreal. Unfortunately, Steinbrenner continues to take zero interest in the competition and realize change is needed and necessary. Starting with Cashman.
They went to the World Series less than a year ago lol
Orioles have money coming off the books and need a 9th inning reliever. Hello Aroldis!
Chapman will probably mess up in the postseason per usual.
Considering that Chapman has a 2.37 ERA in 49 postseason IP and 68 SO, your comment doesn’t have much merit.
He blew the Altuve home run game and then had that bizarre smile on his face. Also nearly blew the Cubs World Series.
Not that he’s Mo but Mo has 2001/ 2004, nobody is perfect… IT happens…
Chapman has done this a few times, he’s just never sustained it for this long.
I hope he convinces the Red Sox to sign him to like 3 years/$60M or something and they aren’t competitive enough to justify it.
Or he comes back to the Yankees and is the missing piece to make it all coalesce into a Championship Quality Yankees in 2026, 2027, 2028….
It is amazing how he just sticks around, has come back after come back, has these long 0.00 ERA stretches.
It’s one of the more underrated careers in baseball, IMO.
Why would the Yankees want him back after he bailed on the team and was left off their playoffs roster.
Your second paragraph makes zero sense. No, the Red Sox are not going to offer a 37 y.o. 3/$60M.