The Red Sox are having bullpen issues as the New York Yankees catch up to them.
Alex Cora Facing Backlash for Aroldis Chapman Decision in Red Sox' Loss to Marlins originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Boston Red Sox have a bullpen problem. Several of their relievers besides veteran closer Aroldis Chapman (4-2, 1.15 ERA) have struggled over the last couple of games, and they're paying the price for it in the standings.
Ace hurler Garrett Crochet (13-5, 2.43 ERA) coughed up just one run on three hits in seven innings against the Miami Marlins on Sunday, leaving the bullpen with a 3-1 lead heading into the eighth. However, right-hander Garrett Whitlock (5-2, 2.86 ERA) allowed a RBI single in that frame, bringing the score to 3-2. Greg Weissert (4-4, 3.16 ERA) and Steven Matz (5-2, 3.23 ERA) then allowed three runs on two homers in the ninth, and Boston couldn't come back in the end.
Red Sox fans on social media are upset that manager Alex Cora didn't bring in Chapman for the save.
"I don’t agree with Cora’s decision not to use Chapman here," one said. "He threw THREE pitches yesterday. Cmon."
"This game is 100% on Alex Cora," another said. "If you aren’t using Chapman, why are you taking Crochet out after 94 pitches?"
"Alex Cora doesn't know how to run a bullpen," another said. "Stop throwing guys like Weissert to close."
"Alex Cora is a terrible decision maker," another said. "You will never change my mind on this. I hate that he is our coach."
"Why would Chapman be unavailable after throwing just 3 pitches yesterday? Stop defending Alex Cora!!" another said.
Alex Cora Defends Aroldis Chapman Decision
Cora said postgame that the coaching staff "felt like Whit [Whitlock] in the eighth made sense," via NESN. The team likely wanted to preserve Chapman, who pitched 1.1 innings over the previous two games.
However, the 37-year-old tossed just three pitches on Saturday, which isn't the length of a standard relief outing. Not bringing in the squad's best reliever in a close game with the chance to sweep Miami was risky, and it didn't pay off.
On the other hand, managers must weigh short vs. long-term benefits when deploying players. With pitchers around the league constantly going down due to arm injuries, Cora might have been nervous about using an elder statesman three days in a row, especially in the regular season.
The other aspect of the fans' frustration is that Chapman only had to come in on Saturday because reliever Isaiah Campbell (7.04 ERA) gave up three runs in the ninth inning, turning a 7-2 lead into a 7-5 one. Chapman retired the final batter to notch his 22nd save.
Now, Boston is only one game ahead of the New York Yankees for second place in the AL East as the latter team takes on the St. Louis Cardinals. The Red Sox could lose that lead soon if their non-Chapman relievers don't step up, and if Cora doesn't use him as much as possible without risking his health.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
