Red Sox Legend Bracing to Lose Historic Record to Aroldis Chapman

"If Aroldis Chapman (1.00 ERA) throws 5.0 more innings without giving up a run, he’ll have the lowest season ERA of any relief pitcher in Red Sox history," he reported. "Jonathan Papelbon currently holds the record with a 0.92 ERA in 2006. He’s gone 46 straight batters without giving up a hit."

Papelbon responded on X, formerly known as "Twitter."

"Records are meant to be broken," he said. "I hope he breaks it, and if the Red Sox make the playoffs, I hope he has a better postseason!"

Red Sox Hit Jackpot With Aroldis Chapman

The fact that Chapman is reaching Papelbon levels in his first season with the team shows how miraculous his performance has been. The 6-foot-4-inch, 235-pounder hadn't previously finished with a sub-3.00 ERA since 2019, when he notched a 2.21 mark for the New York Yankees.

Meanwhile, Papelbon earned three All-Star bids and notched a 2.33 ERA over his seven years in Boston. The club legend also recorded a 1.00 playoff ERA over 18 appearances, including seven shutout outings in the 2007 championship season.

The Red Sox likely didn't anticipate that Chapman would pitch as well as one of their franchise greats when they signed him to a one-year deal over the offseason, but they rewarded him with an extension on Monday, via MLB.com. If the eight-time All-Star continues his momentum into next year, he could once again help anchor a run to the division title.

Boston is 2.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place heading into Tuesday's bout with the Cleveland Guardians. It's also .001 win percentage points behind the New York Yankees, who have played two fewer games.

Ace southpaw Garrett Crochet will start for the Red Sox against Guardians right-hander Slade Cecconi on Tuesday.