Had Travis d’Arnaud’s fly ball to right field died on the warning track Monday night instead of crawling into the seats for what turned out to be a game-winning, three-run homer, Aroldis Chapman getting beat on a slider wouldn’t have been the hot topic it was Tuesday.
Before Tuesday night’s 8-3 win over the Rays, manager Aaron Boone was asked about the pitch selection to the former Mets catcher.
“I think he still throws two-thirds fastballs. I think people underestimate what a good pitch and what a weapon the slider has become for [Chapman]. As great a year as he’s having, on many a night, it’s been because of the slider.