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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: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Buck Showalter never used Zach Britton

Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton might have had the best MLB season a relief pitcher has ever had. His ERA was a microscopic 0.54. Britton allowed just four earned runs in 67 innings all season. It won’t be surprising if he wins the American League Cy Young.

Yet he never pitched in the 2016 Wild Card Game when the Orioles played the Toronto Blue Jays. To be fair, the game went to extra innings. But Orioles manager Buck Showalter should have made it a point to ensure his best pitcher would get a chance.

Sure, Darren O’Day, Mychal Givens, and Brad Brach all pitched lights out. So maybe Britton shouldn’t have pitched the ninth inning on the road. Showalter wouldn’t have been wrong to use Britton in the ninth inning to ensure the game went to extra innings, but his relievers made him look smart for the time being.

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This changed once the 11th inning came around. In the bottom of the 11th inning, Showalter allowed Ubaldo Jimenez to face Josh Donaldson and Edwin Encarnacion. It didn’t end well, as Donaldson singled and Encarnacion hit a home run which hasn’t landed yet.

Britton was healthy, so Showalter looks like a fool for not using him. At least use him against Donaldson and Encarnacion to give the offense potentially one last chance to score a run. Not using Britton is a borderline fireable act.

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