Aroldis Chapman’s October résumé includes performances that place him among the most frequently used and successful relievers in Division Series history. Entering the 2026 postseason, the Cuban left-hander had recorded seven saves in this round, a total surpassed only by Mariano Rivera and Kenley Jansen.
Rivera led the list with 18 saves, followed by Jansen with 10. Chapman ranked behind both, a position that underscores the significance of his career beyond any single season or team. His opportunities came across multiple October appearances.
The Holguín native’s record also included 20 appearances, 22⅔ innings and 33 strikeouts. He allowed just three earned runs during that span, posting a 1.19 ERA. Those numbers reflect his frequent presence in situations where protecting a lead could change an entire series.
One of his most important contributions came with the Cubs in 2016. Chicago faced San Francisco, and Chapman earned the save in all three of his team’s victories. Those saves helped the Cubs advance through the first series of a postseason run that ended with a historic championship for the franchise.
Aroldis Chapman bounced back after a difficult night.
The 2016 series also featured a challenging moment for the Cuban closer. In Game 3, he could not protect the lead, and the Giants kept their hopes alive. Chicago needed another opportunity to finish the series, and Joe Maddon trusted his reliever again the following day.
The Cubs entered the ninth inning of Game 4 trailing 5–2, but rallied to take a 6–5 lead. Chapman was then tasked with recording the final three outs, just one night after his previous outing. He responded with three strikeouts, needing only 13 pitches to secure Chicago’s advancement.
That finish illustrates an important part of a reliever’s job in a short series. Opportunities to recover can arrive immediately, and the previous result does not erase the responsibility to protect the next lead. Chapman returned to the mound and completed the assignment.
His seven Division Series saves offer one measure of that career. The three he recorded in 2016 represent one of its defining chapters, but his overall record demonstrates a sustained contribution: more than 20 innings with just three earned runs allowed and a regular presence in October’s most demanding late-inning situations.
