Aroldis Chapman

Monday night was a dream scenario for the Texas Rangers, and a nightmare for the Houston Astros. It was also a nightmare for a lot of New York baseball fans.

Aroldis Chapman was once one of the most feared arms in baseball, but after following out-of-form, one final incident has closed the book on his Yankees' career.

Sports injuries are serious things, but sometimes, athletes injure themselves in ways that sports fans in New York and beyond can never even imagine.

In the last week of August, as Major League Baseball teams prepare for the stretch run to the playoffs, managers begin to set their pitching rotations, bullpen roles and line-ups to get ready for the most crucial part of the season. Not that those responsibilities can't change in September but as a big league manager once said about the final month, "either you have the horses or you don't. There are no new ones in the barn."

Things have gone from bad to worse for NY Yankees' closer Aroldis Chapman, who is rehabbing from an injury, and fighting to get back millions in stolen cash.

In 44 games, the 2022 New York Yankees have played the Baltimore Orioles 13 times and after last night, are 9-4 against them. So, for the next 118 games, the Pinstripes and the O's will only face off another 6 times. Good for Baltimore bad for the Bombers. Thursday, the Yankees and their most dominant opponent in the American League East over the past few years, the Tampa Bay Rays, will face-off in the first of 19 battles this season.

Aaron Boone and the New York Yankees would rather forget this past weekend. Yes, losing two of three to a team that you handled at their place last weekend stinks. But, that certainly wasn't the worst of it for the Yankees manager. When your weekend is filled with questions about your team involving Tommy John surgery, struggling closer, blown saves and a racial comment, it's easy to forget that you have a 5 game lead in the American League East.

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman has allowed runs in four straight appearances. Projected 8th inning set-up man, Jonathan Loáisiga has pitched better of late but owns a 5.52 ERA for the season, so far. Lucas Luetge has allowed 5 runs in 9+ innings. Yet, the Pinstripes bullpen is being lauded as one of the best. Why?

The New York Yankees and Mets are stacked with All Stars...right? Well, when you want to find out who are the most productive players in the game, just ask the fantasy sports experts. So, USA Today Sports released their Top 200 MLB Fantasy Baseball Players on usatoday.com. Here are New York's top 10 players and there are certainly some surprises!

On the best teams, for every superstar, there is an underpaid newcomer that makes a big impact. For every Aroldis Chapman, there's been a Wandy Peralta.

Bullpen implosions like the ones yesterday demonstrated by both New York teams happen most everyday in baseball. When meltdowns happen on the last day of the season, the final game before the All Star break or on a getaway day at the conclusion of a series, it may demonstrate something more, focus.

Even as a (filthy) Red Sox fan, I can admit it...Chapman has been simply the best. Here are four stats that prove it.