Buckle up—MLB contenders are preparing to sprint the final leg of the American and National League pennant races.
None of them can afford to be tripped up by a trusted pitcher who slumps down the stretch (and proverbially ties the club’s shoes together).
I’m providing a generous service for managers of the 12 winningest teams—identifying which of their reputable arms should not be used in high-leverage situations from here on out.
Deriding each staff’s mop-up man would be too easy, not to mention insignificant. Those players are never given opportunities in close contests, anyway.
Rather, I’m calling out the Jekyll-and-Hyde starters, shaky setup men and wild closers who must be relieved of too much responsibility before the season is lost.