Aroldis Chapman accomplishes another rare feat amid historic streak
Boston Red Sox pitcher Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman continues to mow down hitters at a historic pace, and he accomplished yet another rare feat on Sunday.
Chapman recorded his 29th save of the year in Boston's 7-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. He did so by pitching a ninth inning that was, you could say, better than perfect.
Chapman struck out four Diamondbacks hitters to close out the game. The left-hander struck out second baseman Blaze Alexander and pinch hitter Ildemaro Vargas swinging to begin the inning, but Vargas reached first base on a wild pitch. That was no issue at all for Chapman.
While some pitchers might implode in a situation like that, Chapman settled back in and struck out first baseman Tyler Locklear and third baseman Jordan Lawlar swinging to end the game.
Chapman became just the eighth pitcher in MLB history to strike out four batters in an inning to end a game, per Stats Perform.
To say that Chapman is on a tear would be a gross understatement. The 37-year-old has not allowed a hit since July 23, which gives him 17 consecutive hitless appearances. Chapman pitched 15 total innings across those games and struck out 24 batters. He has gone 50 straight batters without allowing a hit.
Chapman lowered his ERA to 0.98 with Sunday's performance. He has 29 saves and is one of the main reasons the Red Sox have stayed in the postseason hunt.
Chapman is having his best season in a decade. While he has always been an effective reliever, he seems to have discovered the fountain of youth. He has also strengthened his Hall of Fame case.
Bruins' Jeremy Swayman faces make-or-break season: Will he rebound or crumble under pressure?
The Boston Bruins' 2025-2026 season may hinge on the performance of one player: Jeremy Swayman. After an abysmal year in 2024-2025, which saw the 26-year-old goaltender posting career-worst numbers, Swayman finds himself in a do-or-die situation. If he doesn’t rebound, the Bruins could be staring at another season in the basement of the Atlantic Division.
The struggles were undeniable last season. From missing training camp due to a financial stalemate to failing to find any consistency in net, Swayman finished with a dismal 3.11 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage in a career-high 58 games. While injuries to key defensemen like Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm certainly didn’t help, the spotlight shone brightest on Swayman’s inability to deliver when it mattered most. Add to that the criticism surrounding his $8.25 million contract, and the pressure is now at an all-time high.
For Swayman, this season is not just about proving himself to the Bruins organization. It's about proving his worth to Team USA, with a coveted spot on the U.S. Olympic team for the 2026 Winter Games on the line. With elite goaltenders like Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger competing for the same spot, Swayman can't afford to falter early. Any struggles could push him out of the Olympic conversation entirely.
“That's always the hardest problem with being a goalie,” Hellebuyck explained at the U.S. Olympic orientation camp. “There are multiple guys but only one net.”
Indeed, Swayman knows that if he doesn't perform, others will take his spot. But the pressure doesn't end there. Without no-trade protection on his contract until next season, Bruins GM Don Sweeney may be forced to make a decision on Swayman’s future sooner than expected.
“We have an endless belief mindset,” Swayman said, trying to stay focused on the present. “We can’t predict what’s going to happen, but the thing is that we can control what we can control, right here, right now.”
However, with backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo hardly posing a challenge to Swayman’s role, it’s clear that the onus is squarely on the young goaltender. A slow start could easily sink the Bruins’ playoff aspirations and seal Swayman’s fate.
"This season is make or break for me. I've had my fair share of struggles, but I’m not backing down. The pressure is on, and I’m ready to prove that I belong at the top. It's time to take control of my career and show the world that I’m not just the goalie of the past—I’m the future of this team," Swayman declared, putting his focus on bouncing back and earning the trust of both his team and his fans.
With a season packed with both personal and team-related stakes, this is undeniably a boom-or-bust year for the young goalie. Will Swayman rise to the challenge, or will this be the season he gets lost in the shuffle?
One thing’s for sure: Swayman’s performance will be under the microscope all year long, and his every move will be scrutinized. The future of the Bruins—and his career—could very well be determined by how he handles the immense pressure.
