Aroldis Chapman, with 339 career saves, is closing in on Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers' 341. The Red Sox closer, who has been effective for over 14 years, sees promise in teammate Justin Slaten, who has shown excellent command and velocity. Slaten, 27, has not allowed a hit in nine of his 11 outings and has converted all three save opportunities he's had so far. Manager Alex Cora has strategically used Slaten in ninth-inning situations, indicating a potential future as Boston's primary closer.

Slaten's transition from starter to reliever has been successful, highlighted by his impressive stats including a 3.03 ERA and .208 opponent batting average. Chapman praised his adaptability, stating that it doesn’t matter when one pitches as long as the team wins. Slaten has had the opportunity to learn from top closers, gaining invaluable insights into the closing role.