Chapman recorded the final two outs to secure the save in Friday's 13-9 win over the Cardinals, issuing one walk without allowing a run.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman entered with a four-run cushion and a runner on first after Cooper Criswell gave up three runs to start the ninth. He issued a walk to Luken Baker but quickly shut the door with a game-ending double play. The veteran has tossed 2.2 scoreless innings so far in 2025, collecting two saves and a win along the way.

Chapman picked up the save after throwing a scoreless ninth inning with one walk in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Baltimore. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman wasn't overly dominant while tossing 18 pitches Wednesday, but he put out Ryan Mountcastle after Adley Rutschman drew a walk to prevent the potential tying run from coming to the plate. It was Chapman's first save of the campaign after he worked the eighth inning on Opening Day against Texas, but his usage in that one was likely a matchup-based move to handle the top of the Rangers' order. The hard-throwing left-hander has a fairly clear pathway to save chances as Boston's closer to begin the season, especially as long as Liam Hendriks (elbow) sits on the injured list.

Chapman (1-0) allowed one hit and struck out one over a scoreless inning to pick up the win over Texas on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman, who was named Boston's primary closer earlier this week, entered a 2-2 game in the eighth inning. It appears the decision to use the closer in the eighth was because the Rangers had the top of the order due up. Chapman worked around a one-out, broken-bat single, throwing seven strikes among his 11 pitches. After the Red Sox took a 5-2 lead in the top of the ninth, Justin Slaten shut the door for Boston.

Manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Chapman will begin the season as the Red Sox's closer but could see occasional high-leverage work in an earlier inning if the matchup is right, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Browne used the example of Corey Seager leading off the eighth inning as a situation when Chapman may enter before the ninth, but the veteran left-hander should still see the bulk of the save chances early on for Boston. Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock seem likely to begin the season as the next men up for saves in said situations, or when Chapman is unavailable.

Chapman "appears to have become the in-house favorite" to open the season as the Red Sox' closer, Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive.com report.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman has clearly outpitched Liam Hendriks (10.80 ERA) this spring, allowing two runs with a 10:4 K:BB over 5.1 innings. Walks are likely to continue to be a major problem for Chapman, but, even at 37, he remains one of the hardest throwers and best bat-missers in the game. His leash is likely to be short if he is indeed named Boston's closer, with Hendriks, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten looming as alternatives.

Chapman's spring struggles along with those of Liam Hendriks leave Boston's closer role unsettled, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman has a 4.91 ERA with six walks through 3.2 spring innings, which is better than Hendriks, who has a 13.50 ERA and 11 hits allowed over four innings. Manager Alex Cora acknowledged both pitchers have been knocked around but is taking an optimistic view that both are "going to be OK." If neither Chapman nor Hendriks improve over the last two weeks of the Grapefruit League, then Justin Slaten, unaccustomed to the mental aspects of closing, might sneak in to take on the ninth-inning role.

Chapman hit 101 mph in his spring training debut Wednesday, but walked two batters and only threw 11 strikes among his 23 pitches, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. He has slimmed down from 250 pounds to 230 pounds this spring.

EDGE Analysis

The early velocity is nice, and Chapman being wild is nothing new no matter what time of the season, given his 39 walks in 61.2 innings last season. Chapman, Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten are competing for the closer's job, with Garrett Whitlock available for multi-inning saves.

Chapman agreed to a one-year, $10.75 million contract with the Red Sox on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Control continues to be a major issue for Chapman, who issued 39 free passes over 61.2 innings with the Pirates in 2024. However, he also struck out 98 batters and, even though he will turn 37 years old in February, he still ranked in the 98th percentile in fastball velocity this past season. With Kenley Jansen expected to depart in free agency, Chapman will be a candidate to close in Boston, along with Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten.

Chapman threw a scoreless two-thirds of an inning Saturday to record his 14th save of the season in a 9-4 win over the Yankees. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Jalen Beeks loaded the bases with one out in the ninth inning, forcing the Pirates to turn to their closer despite a big lead. Chapman needed only nine pitches (five strikes) to convert his eighth straight save chance, striking out Aaron Judge along the way with a 100.6 mph two-seamer. Even at 37 years old, Chapman can still pump heat over the plate, and his success during his late-season closing stint should re-assure prospective employers this winter as he heads back into free agency.

Chapman struck out two batters in a perfect inning to earn a save against the Yankees on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman needed only eight pitches to quickly plow through the Yankees' 7-8-9 hitters and finish off the 4-2 win. It was his 13th save of the season and eight have come in September. He's converted seven consecutive save chances while posting a 2.57 ERA over his last seven appearances. Chapman owns a 3.84 ERA and a 97:39 K:BB through 61 innings this year.