Bullpen Domino Effect Leads To Major Missed Opportunity For Red Sox

If Aroldis Chapman had been available on Sunday, there’s a good chance the Boston Red Sox would have swept the Miami Marlins.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t. After using him on Friday and Saturday, the Red Sox turned to Greg Weissert with a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth.

While Weissert has converted three save opportunities this year, he wasn’t able to complete this one. He immediately allowed a game-tying homer to the first batter he faced (Dane Myers), resulting in his seventh blown save of the season. He recorded only one out before departing with a runner on first.

Alex Cora summoned Steven Matz, who promptly yielded a two-run homer to the first batter he faced (Jakob Marsee).

Boston lost the series finale 5-3, squandering seven strong innings from Garrett Crochet and a chance to sweep the Marlins at home. The Red Sox also missed a chance to take control of the top wild card spot in the American League, as the Seattle Mariners lost to the New York Mets on Sunday Night Baseball.

While Weissert shouldered the blame for the loss after the game, it wasn’t entirely his fault.

The Red Sox wasted an Aroldis Chapman appearance yesterday causing him to be unavailable today because Isaiah Campbell couldn’t close a game out with a 5-run lead. Can’t happen.

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— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) August 17, 2025

Boston shouldn’t have needed Chapman on Saturday after going up 7-0 through four innings. However, Isaiah Campbell wasn’t able to close out a 7-2 lead in the top of the ninth, requiring Chapman to get the final out of the game.

While Chapman needed only three pitches, he’s pitched on three consecutive days just once this season, and that was back in early June. He’s been the team’s best reliever all season, and the team doesn’t want to risk overextending the 37-year-old flamethrower in the middle of a playoff race.

A similar situation happened a few weeks ago in Minnesota when Jorge Alcala couldn’t close out a five-run lead against the Twins in the ninth, forcing Chapman to come to the rescue.

Despite the loss, the Red Sox still won the series, improving to 68-57 overall and 41-23 at Fenway Park. Boston will try to bounce back on Monday at home behind Dustin May (coming off his first win with the Red Sox) against the last-place Baltimore Orioles.