The Red Sox have found an unexpected gem in their bullpen in the form of 26-year-old pitcher Justin Slaten. Acquired from the New York Mets last December, Slaten has quickly become one of the team's most important relief pitchers, proving to be a formidable weapon on the mound.

During Friday's game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, the Red Sox faced a potential threat as Brennan Bernardino struggled, giving up a walk, a single, and a three-run homer in the eighth inning. In a crucial moment, the Red Sox turned to Slaten to preserve their narrow one-run lead. With incredible poise, Slaten delivered, needing only five pitches to record two outs and secure the victory for his team.

Describing Slaten's performance, Red Sox reliever Chris Martin jokingly stated, "He's been OK... No, he's unbelievable, man. Yeah. I think just going out there and attacking the zone, that's everyone's goal in the bullpen. Obviously, you're going to have good ones, you're going to have bad ones. You've just gotta roll with the punches, and he's doing a good job of that."

Slaten's rookie season has not been without obstacles, as he spent 40 games on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation. However, his setback did not hinder his momentum, as he returned in impressive fashion, delivering two consecutive scoreless outings after just a single rehab appearance.

Recognizing Slaten's impact, Boston manager Alex Cora emphasized the significance of having both Slaten and Martin healthy and available in the bullpen. Cora remarked, "He's huge... We talk about getting healthy – and having Chris (Martin) and Slaten back there in the bullpen, it helps us. It just happened today we needed to go to Slaten in that situation. We've got to stop the rally right there, and he did an amazing job. Chris threw the ball well (in the 10th). We're in a better spot bullpen-wise now than where we were 15 days ago."

The Red Sox's bullpen situation had become so dire that they made a move to acquire additional arms, bringing in Lucas Sims and Luis Garcia at the trade deadline. However, both pitchers ended up on the injured list after a disappointing few weeks. As a result, Slaten's return holds even greater significance for the team, especially in the midst of their push for a playoff spot in the competitive American League wild-card race.

With Slaten's dominant performances since his return, the Red Sox find themselves in a much better position, bolstered by a solid and reliable bullpen. As the team gains ground in the playoff race, Slaten's contributions have become increasingly pivotal, solidifying his status as a key asset for the Red Sox as they embark on the quest for postseason success.