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The weekend series between the Cardinals and Reds will finally start with a day-night doubleheader on Saturday, May 23. The foul weather changed the pitching matchup for the nightcap, and injured list moves on both teams have tweaked the rosters.
The results of both lean in Cincinnati’s favor, as my Cardinals vs. Reds predictions and MLB picks for Game 2 explain.
Andre Pallante was initially scheduled to start for the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, but with the rain, the Redbirds flipped the rotation.
The Cincinnati Reds will now face his 95th percentile breaking ball and 89th percentile ground ball rate in Game 1.
That pushes the more hittable Kyle Leahy to the nightcap. Leahy is in the Bottom 20% in MLB in fastball and offspeed run value, and allows more hits, walks, and homers than Pallante.
The Reds also get Eugenio Suarez back, while the Cardinals placed outfielder Nathan Church on IL.
COVERS INTEL: Opponents have a .584 OPS in their first appearance vs. Leahy, which rises to .821 the next time up, and 1.177 the third time up.The Over/Under cutoff is high, but it’s earned in this game. The bullpens will be taxed in the second game of a twin bill, and Leahy will be challenged by a Reds order hitting 25% over league average across the last two weeks.
St. Louis has been struggling on offense, but the Reds will start former top pick Chase Petty, called up for the doubleheader and ready to make just his fourth MLB start.
He’s allowed four home runs and 10 walks in 11 2/3 big-league innings and was struggling at Triple-A Louisville, with a 6.32 ERA and 1.628 WHIP.
The Reds have hit the Over in 28 of their last 40 games (+14.55 Units / 33% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cardinals vs. Reds.
| Location | Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati, OH |
| Date | Saturday, May 23, 2026 |
| First pitch | 7:15 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
| Cardinals starting pitcher | Kyle Leahy (5-3, 3.94 ERA) |
| Reds starting pitcher | Chase Petty (0-0, 4.76 ERA) |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
Ahead of their second game against the Marlins this weekend, the Mets recalled right-handed relief pitcher Jonathan Pintaro. In a corresponding move, the Mets optioned left-handed starter Zach Thornton to Triple-A Syracuse.
Pintaro, in his age 28 season, appeared in one game last season for the Mets, giving up two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning. He’s having a nice season in Triple-A thus far, appearing in 15 games and pitching to a 2.81 ERA with 32 strikeouts to 12 walks and allowing one home run.
Here is how our Steve Sypa described Pintaro’s aresenal of pitches in our season preview:
The right-hander throws fastballs nearly 75% of the time, mixing in a high-spin cutter, a mid-90s fastball, and a low-90s sinker. He supplements those pitches with a mid-to-high-80s changeup that gives him a north-south option and a low-to-mid-80s sweeping slider that gives him a horizontal option.
Thornton, a soft-tosser in his age 24 season, made his major league debut on Wednesday evening against the Nationals. Thornton was stung by a first inning three-run home run off the bat of C.J. Abrams, but he settled in nicely after that, allowing just three more baserunners over the next two and two-thirds innings.
The bad news was Friday night’s game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds was rained out. The good news is that means a doubleheader today. For game 1, it appears that the Cardinals will have Andre Pallante make the start while the Reds will have Friday’s planned starter Chris Paddack on the mound. Note that Bryan Torres is set to start in left field for St. Louis. First pitch for game 1 is scheduled for 12:10pm central time in Great America Ball Park.
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Jesus Sanchez has been quietly heating up this month, and I expect him to continue swinging a hot bat this afternoon.
Read on to see why with my Pirates vs. Blue Jays predictions and MLB picks for Saturday, May 23.
Jesus Sanchez has been quietly consistent recently, currently sporting a five-game hitting streak, while going Over his 0.5 hits total in nine of his last 10 outings.
Sanchez owns a .333 average against the four-seam fastball and a .294 average against the sinker, the two pitches that Paul Skenes uses the most.
Additionally, Sanchez is just one of three batters in the Toronto Blue Jays lineup to have a hit against Skenes in their career, going 1-for-3 with a double.
COVERS INTEL: Sanchez has a .283 xBA, which ranks him in the 87th percentile in all of baseball. Another Blue Jay swinging a hot bat is Daulton Varsho. I’ll take Over 0.5 hits for the Jays outfielder, who has eclipsed this total in eight of his last 10 outings with a .324 batting average in that stretch.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 21st in OPS vs. lefties this year, so Patrick Corbin could get through most of his start unscathed. He'll eventually give way to a Blue Jays bullpen ranked seventh in xFIP this month.
Lets continue with the Sanchez train and bet a quarter unit on him hitting a home run tonight.
Homering off Skenes isn’t easy, but Sanchez has been a consistent hitter for the Blue Jays and has some pop in his bat, ranking in the 69th percentile in average exit-velocity.
He also owns a 46% hard-hit rate and a .467 xSLG against the four seamer, Skenes’ most used pitch.
The Blue Jays have covered the F5 run line in seven of their last eight games (+5.90 Units / 63% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Pirates vs. Blue Jays.
| Location | Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON |
| Date | Saturday, May 23, 2026 |
| First pitch | 3:07 p.m. ET |
| TV | Sportsnet, SportsNet Pittsburgh |
| Pirates starting pitcher | Paul Skenes (6-3, 2.62 ERA) |
| Blue Jays starting pitcher | Patrick Corbin (1-1, 4.23 ERA) |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
Today’s roster move: Here
Saturday notes…
Cubs lineup:
Astros lineup:
Colin Rea’s last start was pretty bad, so let’s try to ignore it. (Yes, I know you can’t really do that.)
In fact, over his last five starts Rea has posted a 7.04 ERA and 1.913 WHIP and has allowed four home runs in 23 innings. Yikes, do better, Colin.
Last year against the Astros, June 28, 2025 in Houston, he allowed two runs in five innings. That would be an improvement over recent outings.
Kai-Wei Teng, a native of Taiwan, originally signed with the Twins back in 2017 and was traded to the Giants two years later. He made 12 appearances (seven starts) with the Giants in 2024-25 and the results were pretty bad (7.30 ERA, 1.697 WHIP).
He was traded to the Astros for a minor leaguer last offseason and had thrown mostly in relief before recently being added to Houston’s rotation. Last time out, May 16 vs. the Rangers, he threw five shutout innings and 76 pitches.
He has never faced the Cubs. The only Cub who’s ever seen him is Michael Conforto (0-for-1).
Here is the weather forecast for the area around Wrigley Field.
Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network.
Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Astros site The Crawfish Boxes. If you do go there to interact with Astros fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers, ranked first in the NL West with a 31-20 record, face the Milwaukee Brewers, who are first in the NL Central with a 30-18 record. The Los Angeles Dodgers are favored with a -120 moneyline compared to the Milwaukee Brewers' +100. Starting pitchers are Roki Sasaki for Los Angeles, with a 5.09 ERA, and Robert Gasser for Milwaukee, with a 4.50 ERA.
Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET / 4:15 p.m. PT
Where: American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI
TV Channels: FOX
Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers: 31-20 (first in NL West)
Milwaukee Brewers: 30-18 (first in NL Central)
Spread: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5
Moneyline: Milwaukee Brewers +100 / Los Angeles Dodgers -120
Over/Under: 9.0
Los Angeles Dodgers: Roki Sasaki (2-3, ERA: 5.09, K: 39, WHIP: 1.45)
Milwaukee Brewers: Robert Gasser (0-0, ERA: 4.50, K: 3, WHIP: 1.25)
Weather: 56°F at first pitch
Hickory starter Kamdyn Perry allowed two runs in 4.1 IP, strking out six, walking one and giving up a homer. Michael Trausch struck out one and walked one in a shutout inning.
Hector Osorio doubled, walked twice, and stole a base. Yolfran Castillo had a walk and two stolen bases. Paulino Santana had a double and a walk.
Hub City was rained out.
Frisco starter Winston Santos struck out five and walked three in five innings, giving up three runs. Wilian Bormie struck out two in a shutout inning.
Dylan Dreiling had a single and a double. Keith Jones II was 3 for 5 with a double and a stolen base. Cody Freeman continued his rehab assignment, and was 0 for 3 while playing third base before being lifted late in the game.
Josh Stephan started for Round Rock and it didn’t go well, as he allowed 11 runs in 4.1 IP, including three home runs, walking three and striking out two. Veteran Joe Ross, the brother of former Ranger Tyson Ross, was just signed to a minor league deal by the Rangers, and gave up three runs in 1.2 IP, including a home run by Nick Solak, walking one and striking out one. Thomas Ireland walked one and struck out one in two shutout innings.
Caden Scarborough continued his rehab assignment with the ACL Rangers, striking out two in 2.1 IP while allowing two runs.
Diamondbacks News
Diamondbacks Have Win Streak Snapped
Of course it would be the lowly Rockies that gave the Diamondbacks fits on Friday.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Exits Game with Hamstring Tightness
The veteran suffered a torn right ACL on Sept. 1, 2025, having to be carted off at Chase Field to end his campaign. Gurriel worked tirelessly to come back sooner than expected, and he made his 2026 debut on April 18.
Without Whiffs, Gallen Needs to Evolve
Can Gallen find renewed effectiveness despite a less effective fastball?
Diamondbacks’ Win Streak Comes to Unfortunate End
Michael Soroka deserved better than he got on Friday.
Other Baseball News
The Angels Need to Face Reality
It’s time for the Angels to overhaul the roster. That overhaul should start today, not in August.
Cole Tosses Six Shutout Innings in Return to Mound
The last time Gerrit Cole threw a competitive inning was October 30, 2024 – Game 5 of that season’s World Series.
Miguel Andújar’s Contract Has Been a Major Win for the Padres
The 31-year-old veteran is quietly putting together an impressive, consistent offensive season for the Padres as they seek to challenge the Dodgers for the NL West crown.
Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. Check out the previous day’s recap here.
Sugar Land got on the board in the 3rd inning scoring a run on error. The offense would rally for a huge inning scoring 6 runs in the 5th inning on a Biggio RBI single, Whitcomb RBI single, 2 runs scoring on an error, Strahm RBI single and a Thomas sac fly. Hendrickson got the start and pitched really well allowing 1 run over 6 innings of work. The pen allowed a few runs late but Murray held on for the save as Sugar Land won 7-6.
Note: Hendrickson has a 2.70 ERA this season.
Swanson got the start and went 3.2 innings allowing 1 run, though he walked 5. The Hooks got on the board in the 2nd inning on a Sullivan solo home run. In the 4th, the Hooks took the lead on an Encarnacion RBI double. McLoughlin allowed a 3 run home run and the Hooks offense was quiet the rest of the way as they fell 5-2.
Note: Sullivan has 9 HR, 12 SB this season.
The Woodpeckers got on the board in the first inning scoring a run on a Wakefield RBI single. Weber got the start and went 4.1 innings allowing 3 runs, though just one earned, while striking out 6 batters. The offense rallied for 2 runs in the 6th on a disengagement violation and Moss RBI single. They scored 3 more runs in the 7th on a Sierra RBI single and Moss 2 run single. Alvarez added a sac fly in the 8th. Serrano went the final 4.2 allowing 2 run, none earned, as he closed out the 7-5 win.
Note: Wakefield has 19 SB this season.
Today’s minor league starters:
SL: Ryan Weiss – 8:37 CT
CC: Brett Gillis – 7:05 CT
AV: TBD – 6:35 CT
FV: TBD – 6:05 CT
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Two of the best teams in baseball continue their weekend series tonight when the Milwaukee Brewers welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers to American Family Field.
Milwaukee has feasted on fastballs this season and will enjoy a favorable matchup against a struggling Roki Sasaki, which is why I’m taking the hosts in my Dodgers vs. Brewers predictions.
Keep reading for my analysis and MLB picks for Saturday, May 23.
Roki Sasaki was solid during his rookie season, but the Los Angeles Dodgers starter has regressed in 2026.
Sasaki has a bloated 5.09 ERA and 1.45 WHIP, ranking in the 24th percentile in xBA (.262) and 13th percentile in average exit velocity (91 mph).
Sasaki throws his four-seam fastball 43% of the time, though it’s been his worst pitch. Opponents are batting .342 vs. Sasaki’s four-seamer, while the Milwaukee Brewers own the ninth-highest average against that pitch type vs. righties (.261).
The Brewers provide great value as a +113 dog, and I’d bet them all the way down to +100.
COVERS INTEL:Gary Sanchez, Jake Bauers, and Christian Yelich each rank among the top 20 in SLG vs. 4-seamers this season.The Brewers' bats could get Sasaki out of the game early, but he’s backed up by a strong Dodgers bullpen that ranks second in ERA (2.98). Milwaukee’s pen isn’t too shabby, either, sitting sixth in that category (3.22).
To make matters worse for the Dodgers, who have averaged just 2.5 runs over their last four outings, Max Muncy left Friday’s game after taking a 95 mph heater to the wrist, and he’ll likely sit today.
It’ll also be another chilly night at American Family Field (54 degrees), which is tied for the fifth-lowest Park factor (97) in the majors.
Los Angeles and Milwaukee have cashed the Under in four straight meetings. Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Brewers.
| Location | American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI |
| Date | Saturday, May 23, 2026 |
| First pitch | 7:15 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
| Dodgers starting pitcher | Roki Sasaki (2-3, 5.09 ERA) |
| Brewers starting pitcher | Robert Gasser (0-0, 4.50 ERA) |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
Chris Taylor, who played all over the field in 10 of his 12 major league seasons for the Dodgers, retired as a player on Friday.
Taylor was on a minor league deal with the Angels and hit .255/.382/.321 with an 86 wRC+ this year for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees. The last game for the 35-year-old came on Wednesday, playing right field against Tacoma.
Drafted out of the University of Virginia in the fifth round in 2012 by the Seattle Mariners, Taylor struggled in his first taste of the majors, hitting .240/.296/.296 in 86 games over parts of two seasons with Seattle. The Mariners traded Taylor to the Dodgers on June 19, 2016 for pitcher Zach Lee, the former first-round pick.
Taylor started the 2017 season in the minors but was called up by mid-April to partially fill in at second base for Logan Forsythe, who broke his toe. Taylor, with a revamped swing, suddenly thrived at the plate, and was a regular for the next seven seasons, plus two more as a part-time player.
Versatility was Taylor’s calling card, with the ability to play everywhere in the infield and outfield. With the dodgers, Taylor started 259 games in left field, 175 games at shortstop, 157 games in center field, 115 games at second base, 50 games at third base, and 17 games in right field.
“I feel like my role has always been to play all over the field, and that’s part of my value,” Taylor said in 2021. “There’s been times where guys have gotten hurt, and then I have to play one position for a month or whatever.”
Taylor shared NLCS MVP honors with third baseman Justin Turner in 2017, then led off Game 1 of that year’s World Series with a home run, in the first Fall Classic game for the Dodgers in 29 years.
In 2018, Taylor’s sliding catch in left field robbed Christian Yelich of a double in the fifth inning of Game 7 of the NLCS in Milwaukee, protecting a one-run lead at the time.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked Friday night in Milwaukee was asked about Taylor’s retirement, and that catch.
“Worlds would have been different if he didn’t make that play,” Roberts said, as shown on SportsNet LA. “He’s had a great career. He got everything out of his ability, and I was fortunate enough to coach him. He, Mary, and the kids can ride off into the sunset. Does a lot of stuff for the foundation. He was a joy, a complete pro.”
Taylor made his lone All-Star game in 2021, and was voted by teammates and coaches as the Roy Campanella Award winner, embodying the spirit of the longtime Hall of Fame catcher.
That October Taylor won the National League wild card game with a ninth-inning home run off St. Louis Cardinals closer Alex Reyes, one of only six walk-off home runs in Dodgers postseason history. In the 2021 NLCS, Taylor kept the Dodgers alive with three home runs in Game 4 against the Atlanta Braves, one of only three three-homer games in franchise postseason history.
Taylor in his 12-year career hit .248/.327/.419 with a 104 wRC+, 16.2 bWAR, 17.2 fWAR, 200 doubles, and 110 home runs in 1,123 games for the Mariners, Dodgers, and Angels. He was a part of five pennant-winning teams and three championship teams with the Dodgers, and ranks third in team history with 80 postseason games played.
Taylor was released by the Dodgers last May, in the final season of his four-year contract, and wasn’t around for the 2025 championship run in October. But now that he’s retired, one would imagine Taylor will get his championship ring at some point in the relatively-near future, with a deserving pregame ovation from the Dodger Stadium crowd.
The other day it was announced that the Nationals were promoting Jackson Kent to Triple-A. With this news happening, I wanted to talk about Kent because he is a fascinating and under-discussed prospect. You can argue that Kent is the Nats best healthy pitching prospect, though I would probably put him second behind Miguel Sime Jr.
Kent had a fantastic start to the season in Double-A. He posted a 2.35 ERA in 30.2 innings with 38 strikeouts to just 8 walks. The Nats 4th rounder from 2024 also showed off improved stuff. His fastball has gone from being a low 90’s offering to sitting more consistently in the 93-95 MPH range. This improved velocity has helped Kent dominate in AA.
However, the fastball is not Kent’s biggest weapon, and it never has been. Kent’s signature pitch is an absolutely gorgeous changeup. His changeup has over 10 MPH of velocity separation, but Kent still sells it with his arm action. It is truly a plus offering for him. Last season, the pitch generated a 51% whiff rate, and it has continued to be elite this year.
Fangraphs gave Kent’s changeup a 70 grade. That is elite stuff, but it makes sense when you watch the pitch. I actually found a 5 and a half minute video from one of his most recent starts. You get to see quite a few of his signature changeups, and his best ones are absolutely gorgeous. He has a natural feel for it and locates it very well.
Kent’s wonky delivery and elite changeup actually remind me a bit of Guardians rookie Parker Messick, who is having a lot of success this season. Both guys are stockier left handed pitchers with solid but not elite velocity. These guys rely on command and a wipeout changeup to succeed.
Another thing Jackson Kent does very well is get down the mound. He gets about 7 feet of extension, which is elite. That helps his fastball get on hitters quickly. This trait makes Kent similar to former Nats prospect Jake Bennett, who was a big extender with a good changeup. Bennett’s command is a little bit better, but Kent has an even better changeup than him.
I am interested to see how his mix works at the AAA level. He will be facing plenty of guys with big league experience. Will the changeup mesmerize them the same way it did to lower level hitters? I am also interested to see what his pitch shapes look like because we will get that with statcast. Kent’s breaking balls are seen as average at best. He has a curveball and a slider, but neither truly stand out.
This has certainly been a breakout year for Kent, but he did not come out of nowhere. Last season, Kent had a high 4.61 ERA in High-A and Double-A. However, his underlying metrics were strong. For the season, Kent had 132 strikeouts in 123 innings, while keeping the walks in check. He also had a 3.75 FIP and 3.30 xFIP.
Kent’s stuff has ticked up this season, but he is also seeing some positive regression. He pitched much better than his ERA last season. Now, with even better stuff, the results have been undeniable. That is why the Nats are pushing him to AAA. If he throws the ball well in AAA, Kent has a chance to make his MLB debut later this season.
Jackson Kent is an advanced arm with a deceptive look, good command and a wipeout changeup. In a farm system full of risers, Kent is a guy who has gone under the radar. However, with his promotion, he should not be going under the radar for much longer.
This is a guy we could see in the big leagues, and pretty soon. Kent is just 23 years old, but he is a very mature pitcher who has a clear path to big league success. He can use his funk, changeup and new found velocity to get outs in the big leagues.
In my opinion, Kent has the ceiling to be a 3 or 4 starter. One of the reasons the Nats may have traded Jake Bennett is that they knew Kent was a very similar profile. They did not have a guy like Luis Perales in the system, but Kent could do what Jake Bennett did, and maybe even more.
The Nats 2024 draft class looked rough last season, but there have been some good performances from the group this year. Seaver King and Jackson Kent have been the standouts. Both are now in AAA, and knocking on the door of the big leagues.
Baseball history is full of managers who are famous for all sorts of reasons. Some are known for their unmatched success, others for their failures, and some for a particular moment or antics. Buck Showalter’s story is like that of most ballplayers. He never made it to the majors as a player and after his playing days ended, he turned to coaching the game he loved. That is where his story differs from the rest of us. Showalter became one of the most respected baseball minds of his generation and had a long run coaching at the highest level.
Before Yankees fans knew him as the intense manager who expected all the little things to be done right and who helped restore order to the franchise in the early 1990s, Showalter was simply another minor leaguer trying to survive the grind of professional baseball. That journey, and the way he carried himself through it, helped shape the leader baseball fans would eventually come to admire.
William Nathaniel “Buck” Showalter III
Born: May 23, 1956 (DeFuniak Springs, FL)
Yankees Tenure: 1977-91 (coach/minor-league player); 1992-95 (manager)
Before becoming “Buck,” Showalter was mostly known as “Nat.” Born William Nathaniel Showalter III, he went by his middle name throughout much of his younger life, including during his playing days at Chipola College and Mississippi State. The nickname “Buck” reportedly came from a tendency of liking to lounge in the minor-league clubhouses naked. Like many baseball nicknames, it simply stuck.
Showalter built an impressive amateur career before the Yankees selected the outfielder in the fifth round of the 1977 MLB Draft. At Mississippi State, Showalter helped establish himself as one of the better college players in the Southeast while earning All-SEC honors and eventually landing in the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
After signing with New York, Showalter spent several seasons climbing through the Yankees minor league system at both first base and in the outfield. He hit well at times and became known for his work ethic and baseball intelligence, but he never quite broke through onto the big-league roster, topping out in Triple-A Columbus. It didn’t help that as he became more of a first baseman, he was overshadowed by another up-and-coming late-1970s draft pick who played alongside him at Double-A Nashville in 1981: Don Mattingly.
In many organizations, and for most players, that likely would have marked the end of the story. Instead, for Showalter it became the beginning.
Following the end of his playing career in 1983, Showalter quickly transitioned into coaching within the Yankees organization. His attention to detail, preparation, and ability to connect with players rapidly earned him respect throughout baseball circles. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Showalter became one of the quickest rising managerial prospects in the sport, earning praise and awards throughout his stops skippering Oneonta, Fort Lauderdale, and Albany-Colonie. Soon-to-be-familiar names emerged under his watch, including Bernie Williams and Jim Leyritz.
Showalter got his first taste of The Show on the coaching staffs of Bucky Dent and Stump Merrill in 1990 and 1991. General manager Gene “Stick” Michael grew to trust his keen eye, and it wasn’t long before those lousy Yankees teams ushered in an opening at the head of the dugout for the 35-year-old at the start of 1992, making him the youngest full-time manager in Yankees history.
The Yankees hired Showalter during one of the more unstable stretches in franchise history. Owner George Steinbrenner’s reputation and suspension loomed over the organization, and the Yankees were desperately searching for direction. “Stick” needed a coach who could help mold the upcoming young talent he was drafting and, for once, not being forced to trade away.
Showalter’s tenure as Yankees manager lasted just four seasons, but each year represented steady progress for a franchise trying to climb out of the chaos of the late 1980s. The Yankees finished 76-86 in his first season managing in 1992 before improving to 88-74 in 1993, narrowly missing the postseason despite playing meaningful September baseball for the first time in several years. He had the trust of his old teammate-turned-Yankees captain Mattingly, veterans like Paul O’Neill and Wade Boggs thrived under him, and Williams and Leyritz began to find their footing. Showalter’s attention to detail as skipper was nonpareil, as while he could be straitlaced, no one doubted his acumen.
In 1994, the Yankees owned the best record in the American League at 70-43 before the players’ strike abruptly ended the season and erased what many believed was a legitimate championship opportunity. Showalter was named the Manager of the Year and skipper of the 1995 AL All-Star team in what must have all felt like a consolation trophy (as did the famous Seinfeldcameo).
Once the dust settled on the strike, the Yankees went back to work on returning to postseason play for the first time since 1981. They had high hopes after 1994, but found themselves nine games under .500 on June 20th, and while they played better in July, a subpar post-Trade Deadline showing had them at 54-59 on the morning of August 29th. It looked like it would be yet another quiet October in the Bronx, as Boston was running away with the AL East and even with the recent advent of the Wild Card, they trailed six teams in that race. Given that the quick-trigger-finger Steinbrenner was long since reinstated, Showalter’s job was in jeopardy — though Stick always had his back.
Suddenly, the Yankees caught fire as Labor Day approached. They took five straight against the Angels and A’s, narrowly lost two out of their next three, and then reeled off another six wins in a row. Indeed, September would feature two more winning streaks of at least five games as the Yankees made a furious charge to the Wild Card lead with an incredible 22-6 final month under Showalter. With heroics down the stretch from the likes of Mattingly, O’Neill, trade acquistion David Cone, rookie Andy Pettitte, and even light-hitting second baseman Pat Kelly, the Yankees clinched a playoff spot in Toronto on the season’s last day.
As the final out was clinched, Buck could only watch with pride from the dugout, not immediately joining in on the handshake line because in his words, “That’s their moment.” But after a minute, he did take the field to congratulate his players, closing on an especially meaningful hug with Mattingly. Both men had lived and died with every second of the organization’s 14-year playoff drought and were emotional in the postgame celebration.
The ALDS against the Mariners featured incredible highs as the Yankees won the first two games in the Bronx in dramaticfashion. Unfortunately, it all unraveled when the series shifted to the Kingdome. The Yankees dropped three in a row, losing a heartbreaking series that would ultimately became the end of Showalter’s Yankees tenure.
In wake of the loss to Seattle, Steinbrenner chose to offer Showalter a new contract, but it came with a condition: the majority of the coaching staff had to be fired. Four coaches in particular—Rick Down, Mark Connor, Brian Butterfield, and Glenn Sherlock—could not be back on staff. Additionally, despite Showalter asking for a three-year contract, Steinbrenner refused to offer more than two years.
Showalter dug in and declined the Yankees offer, ending his time in the Bronx despite the clear upward trajectory of the organization. As the skipper for four seasons, Showalter managed the Yankees to a 313-268-1 record.
One year later, the Yankees won the 1996 World Series under Joe Torre. It is impossible to ignore that Showalter helped establish the structure, accountability, and expectations for a young core that would eventually define a generation.
Showalter walked away uncertain, as he had no jobs lined up and had only been in the Yankees organization as a working adult. However, he would not be unemployed long as he was offered and became the first manager in Arizona Diamondbacks history. Showalter, along with the four coaches he refused to fire, went to Arizona tasked with building an expansion franchise from the ground up, hired over two years before the D-backs would even play a game.
The move became legendary among coaches who appreciated the loyalty and dedication he showed to his staff. Much like he had in New York, Showalter helped establish structure and organizational expectations almost immediately.
The Diamondbacks went from a 65-win expansion team in 1998 to a 100-win playoff club in 1999. However, after Arizona regressed in 2000 and ownership tensions reportedly surfaced, Showalter was dismissed in early October.
One year later, the Bob Brenly-led Diamondbacks defeated the Yankees in a dramatic seven-game World Series, ending New York’s dynasty run at a fourth straight championship with Torre. In one of baseball’s strangest twists of fate, and even more painful for Yankees fans, the team Showalter helped mold in the desert became the group that finally stopped the dynasty.
Timing has always made Showalter one of baseball’s most fascinating “what if” figures. A strike took out his chance at a ring in 1994. The Yankees won the World Series the year after he departed, while the Diamondbacks also captured a championship the year after replacing him as manager. Fair or unfair, Showalter is “the guy before the guy.” To date, he is the winningest manager in MLB history (1,727 wins, 19th all-time) to never reach a Fall Classic, trailing only Gene Mauch.
Showalter’s post-Arizona career cemented his reputation as one of baseball’s great developers. After spending time in television and around the game as much as he could, he returned to the dugout with the Texas Rangers in 2003.
Showalter’s first year in Texas was surrounded by drama most of which was caused by Alex Rodriguez. Due to that drama and his huge contract, Rodriguez was traded to the Yankees during the 2004 offseason. Despite trading their star, the club found a way to end up with a winning record at 89-73 and those efforts were rewarded with a second Manager of the Year title. However, the Rangers would falter in 2005 and 2006 slipping below .500 both years. Showalter and the Rangers parted ways after the 2006 season.
Showalter returned to TV work until he was hired in Baltimore by the Orioles in July 2010. He quickly helped transform one of baseball’s worst organizations into a contender. Buck became beloved in the Charm City, which became one of the few places where you’d actually see fans wearing merchandise with the manager’s name and number on the back.
In 2012, the Orioles ended a streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons, as Showalter took the Orioles to their first playoff berth since 1997 and his first since 1999. They beat the Rangers in the first AL Wild Card Game before falling to his old Yankees (and Raúl Ibañez) in a five-game ALDS. Under his leadership, the O’s reached the postseason three times, including a 96-win division-winning season in 2014 that earned Showalter the Manager of the Year award for the third time. The swept a pitching-rich Tigers club in the Division Series before getting dusted themselves up the upstart Royals in the ALCS. It still stands as Baltimore’s longest playoff run within the last 29 years.
The O’s would lose steam and eventually bottom out in 2018. Showalter was dismissed during regime change from Dan Duquette to Mike Elias. His 669 regular-season wins rank second in franchise history, trailing only the Hall of Famer Earl Weaver. Showalter would once more return to TV, but hoped to coach again.
The Mets and former Yankees assistant general manager Billy Eppler gave him that chance for the 2022 campaign. Showalter helped guide little brother to a 101-win campaign and earned yet another Manager of the Year honor — though the Mets lost a division lead down the stretch to the hard-charging Braves and then fell to the Padres in a three-game Wild Card Series. Even though postseason success often proved elusive, Showalter’s career repeatedly followed the same pattern: struggling organizations became respectable, young players developed, and teams learned how to expect more from themselves after Buck arrived.
Tasting success, the Mets would “go for it” in free agency during the winter of 2022-23. Showalter and the club failed to meet expectations, and he was dismissed as manager following the 2023 season, as owner Steve Cohen granted new front-office head David Stearns the right to pick his own manager (Carlos Mendoza).
Showalter has been out of coaching since those two years in Queens, but he’s back working in TV as an analyst for MLB Network. Althoguh he’s still interested in managing, it’s hard to get those jobs at age-70, so his career in the dugout might be at an end. In total, Showalter spent 22 seasons as a professional manager, with a 1,727-1,665-1 record good for a .509 winning percentage. Only Dusty Baker guided more different teams to the postseason than Buck’s four.
Loved by so many fans, one might wonder why Showalter wore out his welcome so many times. Other than his run with the O’s, he never lasted more than four seasons managing a clubhouse. Showalter’s greatest strengths might also have been his biggest weaknesses. A player’s coach, Showalter loved conversations, teaching, and bonding with his players, viewing his role as helping them navigate life along with baseball. However, he demanded preparation and accountability with a hyper-focus on details. A little headstrong once he determined his mindset, he often prioritized player and coaching relationships over the front office and ownership.
Regardless of how long he could survive before getting voted off the island, Showalter’s ability to lead a turnaround is legendary. Often leadership gets framed entirely around sacrifice, toughness, or authority. His career serves as a reminder that leadership can also look like care, availability, consistency, and unwavering support. Even if Showalter himself would probably brush off those compliments, many former players and coaches clearly saw him as exactly that type of leader.
That humanity helps explain why Showalter remains beloved by so many baseball fans despite never fully getting the championship moment many believe he deserved. Across multiple organizations, players consistently respected him, front offices trusted him, even if those relationships strained over time, and fans connected with the authenticity he brought to the dugout every day.
Showalter never got the storybook championship, but baseball history would feel incomplete without him. Some leaders become famous for the dynasties they led. Others deserve to be remembered for helping build the foundation.
Happy birthday Buck!
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
I have all sorts of questions for Brandon Marsh. Chief among them is how to grow a beard like that. But as this is a baseball site, and as my doomed attempts to grow impressive facial hair are likely of little interest to anyone other than myself, we’ll instead ask a different question: how has he been so good at the plate when his chase rate is up by double digits?
Specifically, it’s up by 11% (on the dot!), from 29.1% last year to 40.1% this season. That puts him in the sixth percentile for this season (that’s set up so a higher percentile means being better at avoiding chasing). He was once a chase-averse hitter: he was in the 72nd percentile in 2023, and the 80th in 2024. That plummeted to the 42nd percentile last season, and now he’s among the most chase-happy hitters league wide. Only 12 batters chase more.
That said, you can chase a lot and still be a great hitter; Bryce Harper’s chase rate is only a few percentage points beneath Marsh’s. And right now, Marsh is hitting very well. Batting average isn’t the best statistic to measure a hitter by, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Marsh’s .325 is the fourth-best in baseball. His slugging percentage of .462 would be the highest of his career if it holds. His on-base percentage of .350 wouldn’t be; he had a .372 in 2023. And those numbers are more different than they appear: his 2023 OBP was built more on a high walk rate (12.5%) than on hitting, whereas his current OBP is the opposite, with his walk rate now a lowly 4%. So Marsh is playing not only like a better batter, but also like an entirely different one.
More chases and far fewer walks sounds like a recipe for disaster, but it’s clearly not working out that way for Marsh. So we have to ask: how’s he doing it? My first thought was that perhaps he was swinging more overall, accepting more chases in exchange for more hacks at balls in the zone that he can really do some damage on. And that’s not entirely wrong, but it’s not really what’s going on here. His overall swing rate has gone from 47.1% to 53.8%, but the lion’s share of that overall change was produced by his greater willingness to swing outside the zone. His zone swing rate is up by 2.3%, which is notable, but far less dramatic than the chase rate change.
But there is an equally dramatic change to go along with the chase rate spike. That would be the change to his chase contact rate. Last season he made contact on 51.6% of the pitches he chased. This season, it’s 62.2%. His in-zone contact rate is also up, but like the zone swing rate, it’s not by much. So what’s happening here is that Marsh has become both more willing to swing at pitches outside the zone, and better at making contact on them. That’s how you turbocharge your chase rate while also dropping your whiff rate and K% by a couple percentage points each; a pretty nifty little trick.
That explains how he can chase so much more without hurting his hitting. But that doesn’t necessarily explain how he’s hitting better than he did last year. He doesn’t appear to have some sort of ability to deal unusual damage on pitches outside the zone. My next thought was that perhaps his increased ability to make contact outside the zone was allowing him to foul off pitches to a greater extent, extending at-bats and eventually forcing pitchers to throw him something he could hit. But his plate appearances are, on average, shorter than they’ve ever been (3.45 pitches per PA). So that’s out.
I was hoping to uncover some sort of secret sauce (and I mean a real secret sauce, not the garden variety Russian dressing with a cute name you see at so many burger joints) explaining how Marsh is doing it. And it’s possible that such a sauce exists somewhere in the data, and that I’m just not seeing it. But at this point, I’m wondering if Marsh’s changed approach at the plate isn’t really the explanation for his improved hitting. Marsh has the fourth-highest BABIP in the league at .395. That’s up from .363 last year and .348 the year before that. The only full season in which he posted a higher one would be 2023. That 2023 season was the best of his career offensively, with an OPS of .830. This season, he’s got an .812. He hasn’t posted an OPS above .800 in any of his other campaigns. It would be too simplistic to say that Marsh is just benefitting from good BABIP luck, but I suspect it’s contributing a lot to his strong slash line this year.
It’s possible that his BABIP could remain this high over a full season; it did in 2023. But if it doesn’t, he could find himself in a struggle at the plate, with the impact of his greatly diminished walk rate making its presence felt. You can outrun regression to the mean in batted ball luck for a while, but not forever. Marsh is chasing more, but he’s also being chased.