The Boston Red Sox bullpen is getting a significant lift from a familiar face, and it couldn't come at a better time. After a season filled with ups and downs, the relief corps is showing signs of becoming a true strength, highlighted by Wednesday night's 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Manager Chad Tracy deployed what looked like Boston's optimal bullpen setup, and it paid off in a big way. Garrett Whitlock delivered a perfect eighth inning, setting the stage for Aroldis Chapman, who locked down his ninth save of the season while lowering his ERA to a microscopic 0.66. But the real story was the bridge between the starter and those late-inning stars.
Justin Slaten, recently returned from an oblique injury, worked a scoreless seventh inning—his second straight clean outing since coming back last weekend. The right-hander has been sharp in limited action, and it's exactly what the Red Sox need. In 5 1/3 innings this season, Slaten hasn't allowed a single earned run, striking out six while surrendering just three hits and two walks.
If Slaten can recapture his 2024 form, Boston's bullpen could be in excellent shape. Last year, the Rule 5 Draft pick posted a stellar 2.93 ERA with a 21.9% strikeout-minus-walk rate. His 2025 numbers dipped to a 4.24 ERA, but early returns suggest he's on the right track. While he's not generating many swinging strikes—just a 5.9% whiff rate—he's also not giving up hard contact, allowing zero barrels and only three hard-hit balls.
Chapman and Whitlock give the Red Sox one of baseball's premier late-inning duos, but the team has spent most of the season searching for a reliable bridge to get there. Slaten could quickly jump ahead of Greg Weissert and Zack Kelly as Tracy's go-to seventh-inning option, providing the stability this bullpen has been missing.
For a team looking to turn the corner, a healthy and effective Slaten might be the spark that ignites a sustained run. And for fans, it's a welcome sign that the Red Sox are finally getting their bullpen pieces in place.