Who Will Be the First MLB Manager Fired This Season?

The 2021 MLB season will get underway with Opening Day on April 1. At some point during the new season, at least one manager is going to come under fire and lose his job?

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The big question is who will it be? There are several candidates. Here’s a look at the favorites.

Down in Baltimore

In two seasons, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is just 79-144. Baltimore hasn’t had a winning season in each of the last four campaigns. That’s why he is a +700 favorite to be the first manager fired in 2021.

The Orioles finished fourth in the AL East standings last season at 24-35, but that was probably only because they didn’t have to play a full162-game schedule. In each of the previous three seasons, the Orioles finished dead last in the division.

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It will likely be more of the same this year. Top hitter Hanser Alberto is now in Kansas City and the pitching staff won’t scare many AL lineups. It isn’t a matter of Hyde getting fired. It’s just a matter of when.

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Plight of Pittsburgh

The Pirates haven’t been relevant in years. Derek Shelton took over prior to last season and luckily for him Pittsburgh only had to play 60 games.

The Buccos ended up 19-41 and last in the NL Central. The roster does feature some good young prospects and last year was Shelton’s first.

He is given +900 odds to be fired first. Don’t count on it though as Pittsburgh will give Shelton all of 2021 to prove himself.

Angels in the Outfield

Joe Maddon is the highest paid manager in baseball. He is listed at +900 to get fired first. That seems unlikely given that Maddon will have three-time MVP Mike Trout and former AL Rookie of the Year Shohei Ohtani both healthy.

The Angels will be stronger on the mound with Ohtani, Dylan Bundy, and Andrew Heaney. If the Angels collapse, which is unlikely, in the first part of the season, it’s possible the Angels brass pulls the plug on Maddon.

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The Best Bet

Arizona hasn’t been to the postseason in each of the last three years. Manager Torey Lovullo is 285-261 during his five seasons with the Diamondbacks.

He has had three winning seasons, but the D-Backs are just 1-3 in Lovullo’s four postseason games. The big issue coming into 2021 is a roster devoid of stars. Former Giants ace Madison Baumgartner is Arizona’s No. 3 starter.

While not entirely Lovullo’s fault, it will soon be time for a complete overhaul of the Diamondbacks roster. That overhaul is going to come complete with a new leader at the top.

The average time it takes to see a firing in a season with 162 games is 66 games. Arizona was just 25-35 after 60 games last year. If that happens again, look for Lovullo to be the first manager casualty of 2021. It will be a nice payout at +1000.

MLB 1st Manager Fired Betting Odds

You can bet on this MLB futures market at BetOnline.

Brandon Hyde +700

Bud Black +800

Scott Servais +800

Chris Woodward +800

Joe Maddon +900

Derek Shelton +900

Torey Luvullo +1000