Showalter crushed on Twitter for not using Britton
With the Baltimore Orioles' season on the line, manager Buck Showalter elected against using his closer, AL Cy Young candidate Zach Britton.
Did he ever hear about it.
Before, during, and especially after Edwin Encarnacion's walk-off, three-run homer off Ubaldo Jimenez in the 11th inning of Tuesday's wild-card game, the baseball world was baffled by Showalter's decision not to deploy Britton. The home run eliminated the Orioles, advanced the Blue Jays to the ALDS, and left a lot of people second-guessing Showalter's bullpen management.
Here's how baseball Twitter reacted:
Showalter says Britton was available. Says nobody pitching better than Ubaldo. Uhh - yeah there was: Zach Britton #Orioles
— Mac Engel (@MacEngelProf) October 5, 2016
Well, that's a managing job that would make Ned Yost proud. #buck
— Barry Rozner (@BarryRozner) October 5, 2016
Either Britton was unavailable or Buck Showalter just blundered his way into playoff history.
— keithlaw (@keithlaw) October 5, 2016
Matt Williams saved Clippard, Storen & Strasburg in 7th inn of Game 4 in '14, tied 2-2. He was roasted. Buck is saving Britton for....?
— Thomas Boswell (@ThomasBoswellWP) October 5, 2016
With the game on the line in a winner takes all wild card game, the O's relied on a pitcher who was released this year.
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) October 5, 2016
With the game on the line, Britton ranks what No. 1? No. 2? No. 3 among guys to use. Brian Duensing ranks what No. 155?
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) October 5, 2016
good shot of Buck Showalter's press conference pic.twitter.com/VBxIIha98C
— Matt Ufford (@mattufford) October 5, 2016
Britton was being saved for what, exactly?
— Bob Ryan (@GlobeBobRyan) October 5, 2016
8 other postseason managers watching this game must be thinking, “I better not leave my best guy in the pen."
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) October 5, 2016
Just my opinion, Buck, I wouldn't risk losing my season without one of the best relievers in history throwing a pitch. Just my opinion.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) October 5, 2016
I think Buck Showalter is a tremendous manager. But I don't know why he won't go to one of the best weapons in baseball.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) October 5, 2016
There's just no way Britton was available. I refuse to believe it.
— Paul Sporer (@sporer) October 5, 2016
At least Zach Britton will be well rested for his first spring outing.
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) October 5, 2016
The Cy Young candidate reliever did not pitch in an elimination game.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) October 5, 2016
Orioles either saving Zach Britton for spring training or perhaps Tim Tebow in Arizona Fall League?
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) October 5, 2016
Odd to see #Orioles lose that game w Ubaldo in relief and Mr Automatic Britton watching
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) October 5, 2016
The Orioles season ended today. And the best pitcher in baseball watched in the dugout. Mind boggling unless he's hurt.
— Brittany Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) October 5, 2016
Showalter just said Zach Britton was fine and available. Oh my.
— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) October 5, 2016