Aroldis Chapman Brings 'Unfair' Heat, Gives Texas Rangers Exactly What's Needed

So far, the acquisition of Aroldis Chapman has given the Texas Rangers bullpen a backstop they had hoped for.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Since he joined the Texas Rangers last month, Aroldis Chapman has lived up to the club's most ambitious hopes.

On Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chapman threw a scoreless eighth, striking out two hitters and giving up a double to Chris Taylor.

The double was notable. It was the first extra-base hit Chapman has allowed with the Rangers. And it was just the third hit he’s allowed in his seven appearances with Texas.

Of course, there’s also the entertainment value of having Chapman on the staff. For the third time since joining the team, he set the club record for the fastest pitch in the StatCast era (since 2015), a 103.4-mph sinker to strike out the Dodgers’ Yonny Hernández to end the frame that one fan called "unfair" on Twitter.

This is just unfair from Aroldis Chapman. pic.twitter.com/jAXM08uuP0

— Michael Bier (@MichaelJBier) July 23, 2023

Chapman has thrown a 103.5 mph pitch twice this season, both for Kansas City on June 17.

He’s been nothing short of spectacular since arriving via trade. Chapman is 1-0 with one save, a spotless ERA, 12 strikeouts, no walks, and a .125 opponent batting average in seven appearances.

That dominance is part of the reason why Rangers manager Bruce Bochy has made Chapman and Will Smith co-closers. In fact, Sunday’s 8-4 win over the Dodgers was a good example of how Bochy wants to use them in winning situations.

The Rangers got six innings out of Martín Pérez, who left with a lead and handed the ball to left-hander Brock Burke. He threw a scoreless inning, followed by Chapman and then Smith in the ninth.

It wasn’t a save situation, but that’s how Bochy would draw it up.

And that’s why Chapman is here.

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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