September is going to be a big month for a lot of MLB teams in terms of a push for the playoffs. However, not all teams are in contention and some are playing out the string, looking ahead to 2024.
While the pennant races are going to be something to keep an eye on, there are some managers who are looking to have a strong final month of the 2023 season to return to the dugout next season. Here are five managers who need a strong final month to avoid losing their job.
New York Mets manager Buck Showalter needs to have a strong September
Things have not gone as planned for the New York Mets this season. At the trade deadline, they traded away pitcher Justin Verlander to the Houston Astros and Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers. Unless something unforeseen happens, both will be pitching in October baseball again.
There are many areas to point to as to what went wrong for the Mets this season. Their pitching was inconsistent, their offense struggled in all situations and they never got any momentum when they needed it to stay in the race. They were dealt a setback before the first pitch was even thrown in March when closer Edwin Diaz suffered a knee injury at the World Baseball Classic.
It seems like the Mets are going to be a year or two away from competing again and you have to wonder what the front office is thinking. Regardless, Showalter and the Mets need to finish the 2023 season strong in the final month.