Aroldis Chapman Opens Up About Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Staredown

There was a high-pressure clash of the titans Wednesday night at Rogers Centre.

The Red Sox and the Blue Jays were tied with two outs in the ninth when Aroldis Chapman, one of baseball’s hardest throwers, matched up with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., one of the game’s best pure power hitters. Chapman won the head-to-head battle by striking out Guerrero on a 101 mph heater, and he celebrated the punchout by staring down the four-time All-Star.

Chapman throwing eyeball daggers at Guerrero wasn’t out of any kind of disrespect, though. As the veteran closer explained Thursday, he has a strong rapport with the Toronto slugger.

“He’s a great kid, a great player,” Chapman told reporters through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez, per MassLive. “He loves the game. He’s a good kid. We have a great relationship off the field and we were just having fun.”

Unfortunately for Chapman and company, Guerrero received the last laughs at Boston’s expense. He scored the game-winning run in the Blue Jays’ walk-off victory Wednesday and smashed a go-ahead three-run homer in the eighth Thursday. Those clutch plays helped seal a series win for Toronto and sent Boston home with a bad taste in its mouth.

The Red Sox will try to turn the tide Friday when they kick off a three-game set with the Minnesota Twins. NESN’s full coverage of the series opener begins at 5:30 p.m. ET.