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Baltimore Orioles: Andrew Miller Defends Buck Showalter

By Brendan Dlubala

Sep 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) walks towards the dugout after being ejected during the seventh inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) walks towards the dugout after being ejected during the seventh inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buck Showalter is receiving a lot of criticism for his bullpen management in the Baltimore Orioles’ loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. But one of his former top relievers defended Showalter and his skills.

After the Baltimore Orioles suffered a loss Tuesday night against the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Wild Card Game, former Orioles reliever Andrew Miller defended manager Buck Showalter. Showalter was heavily criticized for not using star closer Zach Britton in a stressful game that went to extra innings. The Orioles lost on a three-run home run in the 11th inning.

Miller, who pitched for Baltimore in 2014, said Showalter is one of the best in baseball at running a bullpen. He currently plays for the Cleveland Indians who matched up against the Boston Red Sox in the American League Division Series.

“He’s getting buried right now, but I tell people all the time how good he was,” Miller told ESPN.com. “That’s his reputation. It’s not just me that’s out there saying it. Today might not be the day to do it, but if you polled front-office guys who are out there, I think in general he would be as well-regarded as anybody at that particular skill.”

Showalter used Mychal Givens, Donnie Hart, Brad Brach, Darren O’Day and Brian Duensing in relief of starter Chris Tillman. Ubaldo Jimenez entered the 11th inning with one out and the bases empty. Jimenez allowed a single to Devon Travis and another to Josh Donaldson. Many thought that this moment was where Showalter would bring Britton in. The O’s needed a ground ball and Britton is one of the best in baseball at inducing a double play. However, Jimenez remained in the game and allowed an upper-deck home run to Edwin Encarnacion.

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“I’m as surprised as anybody Britton didn’t find his way into that game,” Miller said. “But even with the earlier moves, O’Day and Brach did such a good job, it almost looked like, ‘Buck knows what he’s doing. He’s got something going on.’ It just backfired. If it worked out, everybody would have said he was a genius and had it all figured out. That’s just the way it goes.”

Britton had 47 save opportunities during the regular season and converted them all. He also finished the season with a 0.54 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP. The All-Star closer is now expected to receive consideration for the AL Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards.

As Andrew Miller suggested, hindsight is 20/20. It is difficult to justify leaving the best closer in 2016 in the bullpen in a winner-take-all game. But if the Orioles took the lead and Showalter saved Britton for that moment, he would have looked like a genius. Unfortunately for Baltimore, that didn’t happen.

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Now, his reputation and his job may very well be on the line. As the Orioles go through the offseason, expect updates on Showalter’s job security.

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