Aroldis Chapman Era Begins in the Big Apple

Aroldis Chapman proved to be one of the few major league baseball players that can stop everybody and everything so people race to a television to see.

The new closer for the New York Yankees is an exception. When he comes to the mound from the bullpen people want to be in the ballpark or at least near their television set to see just how hard he can throw.

Tuesday night, he powered one of his fastballs to 102 mph while pitching in what was his second appearance in Yankees pinstripes.

To end the game, Chapman was facing Lorenzo Cain, who had hit three home runs in the game, and Chapman was able to tame Cain who hit a short pop up on a heater that reached 101 mph.

Through his translator, Chapman said fans love to see pitches that reach triple digits. That comment and others came following the Yankees 10-7 victory over the defending champions Kansas City Royals.

After Chapman pitched in two straight games upon returning from a suspension for violating the league’s domestic violence policy, the Yankees closer will likely be kept from appearing on Wednesday so he is not being overworked.

Andrew Miller, in Chapman’s place, will reassume the role as closer with the eighth inning pitched by Dellin Betances.

The thought of Betances, followed by Miller then Chapman many nights is something many Yankees coaches, players and fans look forward to. The luxury of having at least a pair of them available each game is a potential advantage for the Yankees.

Miller pitched on Tuesday and allowed his first run this season when Cain hit a home run to tie the game during the eighth.

Joe Girardi the Yankees manager thinks that the run Miller allowed in the eighth did not have anything to do with changing from pitching the ninth to the eighth. He called it just a coincidence.

Girardi said he feels confident anytime he puts Miller on the mound. The Yankees reliever did not think changing innings impacted him either.

His routine remains the same regardless of when he is called upon to pitch. He starts his stretching during the fifth and moves forward from that point regardless if he is the closer or setting the table for Chapman.

New York is now 13-18, but has won five of seven. If the team can reach .500, it likely will be due to the three strong arms in their bullpen.