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AL East teams benefit most from Chapman ban

Butch Dill / USA TODAY Sports

Members of the American League East, especially the Boston Red Sox, were the biggest benefactors from the news Tuesday that New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman will serve a 30-game suspension for violating the league's domestic-violence policy.

The Red Sox face the Yankees six times before Chapman is eligible to return on May 9 against the Kansas City Royals, while the three other members of the division will each enjoy a three-game series against New York without having to face the Yankees' four-time All-Star.

Opponent Date Games NYY
Astros April 4-7 3 Home
Tigers April 8-10 3 Away
Blue Jays April 12-14 3 Away
Mariners April 15-17 3 Home
Athletics April 19-21 3 Home
Rays April 22-24 3 Home
Rangers April 25-27 3 Away
Red Sox April 29 - May 1 3 Away
Orioles May 3-5 3 Away
Red Sox May 6-8 3 Home

Chapman will be permitted to participate in spring training, and will begin serving his suspension on Opening Day. The 28-year-old was under investigation by the league for a domestic violence dispute in which he fired eight gunshots and allegedly choked his girlfriend in October.

Andrew Miller will likely serve as the Yankees closer on an interim basis, a role he held last season. The left-hander appeared 15 times in the Yankees' first 30 games in 2015.

Despite Chapman's absence, things still don't get much easier for the opposition facing the Yankees' bullpen. Miller and setup man Dellin Betances combined to strike out 231 batters over 145 2/3 innings last season.

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