BOSTON — This season, Aroldis Chapman’s saves have become nearly automatic. In 16 save opportunities with the Red Sox this season, he’s converted all but one. But when he closed out the Cincinnati Reds on just a dozen pitches to seal a 5-3 Red Sox win Wednesday afternoon, there was some extra significance attached to it.

SEATTLE MARINERS If the Red Sox are to trade Chapman to an American League contender, it likely won't be one in the East. Instead, the Mariners, who could still benefit from a bat more at the deadline, could see Chapman as an extra piece to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022 and just the second time since 2001.