The playoffs are approaching, so Aroldis Chapman is getting into postseason form.
And by that, we mean the Rangers’ closer is struggling in big spots.
Chapman, who lost three postseason games with the Yankees, has now blown a save or suffered a loss in three of his last five outings and two of the last three.
The lefty flamethrower imploded in the 10th inning of Wednesday’s 6-5 walk-off loss to the Mets, walking Francisco Alvarez and hitting DJ Stewart to force in a run.
Chapman has now allowed runs in four of his last five outings, and the Rangers have now blown their AL West lead and are in third place in division.
“It’s a tough spot in extra innings with a man on second, and Chappy just had trouble finding the plate there,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said after the game.
The Rangers acquired Chapman from the Royals to help solidify their bullpen, but he’s hitting a bump at the worst time with the AL West now a three-team race.
Chapman has posted a 2.57 ERA spanning his 21 outings with Texas, but he now owns a 5.40 ERA over his last five innings. He’s walked six batters and allowed two homers in that span.
The 35-year-old wasted Jordan Montgomery’s eight brilliant innings Aug. 21 by allowing a game-tying homer in the ninth inning in an eventual 4-3 walk-off loss to the Diamondbacks.
Six days later, Chapman blew a one-run lead in the ninth in an eventual 7-6 Twins’ win.
On Wednesday, Chapman issued an intentional walk to Pete Alonso before walking Alvarez on six pitches and hitting Stewart with his next pitch.
Chapman also allowed a homer to Mark Vientos in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s 2-1 win.
Those three losses are costly for a Texas team that is now one game behind the Mariners and Astros in the AL West, although the Rangers are even with Houston in the loss column.
The Rangers are 2 1/2 games ahead of the Blue Jays for the final wild-card spot.
Chapman’s struggles in big spots are nothing new for Yankee fans who watched him directly contribute to several season-ending losses.
The lefty lost Game 2 of the ALCS against Houston and later allowed the infamous season-ending walk-off homer to Jose Alutve in Game 6 of the 2019 ALCS.
One year later Chapman allowed yet another season-ending go-ahead homer, this one to Mike Brosseau in Game 5 of the ALDS against the Rays.
Chapman then ended his Yankees tenure by blowing off a postseason workout, costing him his roster spot for the ALDS and ALCS.
At least no-showing may have been a better outcome than yet another season-ending appearance.
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