The case for a 2 inning closer

The Reds have lost some crushing games in the late innings due to an inconsistent bullpen. In the last 5 days, Cincinnati's bullpen has blown two games with leads heading into the final couple of innings. The extra inning games have not been kind to Cincinnati either. If the Reds want to win the NL Central Division for back to back years, they have to figure out a way to nail down wins after their starters are through.

Aroldis Chapman has been the team's most dominant reliever by far this year. He has only blown a total of 2 saves in his 19 opportunities, and when his location is on with his slider, Chapman is one of the game's toughest pitchers to hit. Chapman was originally training to be a starter on his road to the majors, meaning he has the ability to throw multiple innings in a short stretch of time. The Reds should use their best reliever in the bullpen in the eight and ninth inning roles to help them nail down some games that the weaker relievers have shown a propensity to lose for the team.

Chapman has the lowest opposing batting average out of any pitcher on the team with over 10 innings pitched besides Johnny Cueto at .175. He has had a great season in terms of control with a low WHIP of 1.03. Chapman has really developed into the pitcher the Reds thought he would be when they signed him for the 2010 season. Jonathan Broxton and Sam LeCure have not been able to handle the late inning roles with much consistency. Their ERA's are higher than they should be, and the runs they have given up tend to do a lot of damage in the tight spots in games. Chapman's ERA is tied for lowest on the team at 2.17, and he has been able to handle pressure situations with his team holding a short lead.

If the Reds want to break out of disappointing losses, pitching Chapman in the eighth and ninth innings is the way to go. Throwing a lot of pitches has not been a problem for Chapman. He hasn't hurt his arm due to overuse in quite some time.
Most of the Reds' starters have shown the ability to pitch through the seventh inning this season, and if the Reds can find a way to hold the other team scoreless in the eighth and ninth, they will soon find themselves 20+ games above the .500 mark.