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‘What was he thinking?’: 5 worst manager decisions in postseason history

By Dave Stevenson

Aug 24, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) in the dugout before the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 24, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) in the dugout before the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Craig Kimbrel gets left hanging

At least Grady Little can look himself in the mirror and say he lost with his best pitcher on the mound. The same can’t be said for former Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, long a popular target for criticism because of his questionable decisions. Still, his most questionable one came in Game 3 of the 2013 NLDS.

While Game 3 wasn’t a must win game for the Braves, the Braves lost with their best pitcher in the bullpen. Why, you ask? Because the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied in the eighth. The closer position in MLB is confining and often leaves managers to think they can only use their best reliever in the ninth inning.

David Carpenter started the eighth for the Braves, proceeding to give up a double to Yasiel Puig and the game winning home run by Juan Uribe. Kimbrel could have easily gone two innings. It’s not like Gonzalez cared much about Kimbrel’s arm considering how much he used him.

Gonzalez’s decision sums up everything awful about the closer role. It implies the most important inning is always the ninth. But what if you don’t get to the ninth? Use your best pitcher when you need big outs. Worry about the ninth when you get to that bridge.

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