What happened: Analysts noted that Aroldis Chapman looks as strong now as he did half a decade ago. The discussion focused on the southpaw's durability after he set the all-time record for strikeouts by a reliever.

Why it matters: Maintaining elite velocity over a long career is exceptionally rare for late-inning specialists. His continued effectiveness provides a significant advantage as the regular season progresses.

What to watch: Observers will monitor how his arm responds to a steady workload in the second half.