10 Big Mistakes That Cost 2014 MLB Contenders a Shot at Moving On

In October, the only right decision is the one that works. 

From skipper Matt Williams' suspect managing of the Washington Nationals pitching staff to questionable baserunning from a number of different teams, there have been all sorts of mistakes that have cost 2014 MLB contenders big time in the postseason. 

For teams like the Detroit Tigers and the Oakland Athletics, those miscues have led to disappointingly early ends to the season. Meanwhile, for the Nats, there's still time to overcome the mistakes and advance. 

Collin Cowgill Getting Hosed While Trying to Tag Up in Game 2 of the ALDS

The Los Angeles Angels were absurdly aggressive on the basepaths in 2014. 

In the eighth inning of Game 2 of the American League Division Series, Jarrod Dyson made the Halos pay. The Kansas City Royals center fielder uncorked a strike to third base to throw out Collin Cowgill, who was attempting to tag up from second. 

The baserunning blunder not only ruined the rally, but it altered the entire trajectory of the series. With the score tied at 1-1, the Angels went from potentially having a runner on third and no outs to nobody on and two outs. The game remained tied until the 11th inning, when the Royals poured on three runs to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.

Afterward, Cowgill explained via MLB.com that he'd make the same decision if presented with the same opportunity again.

"I'm going 100 times out of 100," he said.

Considering he still would have been in scoring position at second base and that the Angels had the top of the lineup coming up, that's flawed logic from the pinch runner. 

The Oakland Athletics Leaving Jeff Samardzija off the AL Wild Card Game Roster

Ben Margot/Associated Press

The AL Wild Card Game was a complete disaster for the Oakland Athletics. 

The club had a four-run lead with six outs to go and somehow managed to lose the game. While plenty of in-game moves and decisions went wrong, the trouble started before the contest even began. 

Even though he had been acquired to pitch in big-game situations like that win-or-go-home tilt, Jeff Samardzija was left off the roster. The right-hander would have been pitching on three days rest and should have been available for an inning or two of work. 

It's worth noting that Samardzija has lots of bullpen experience, as he was a full-time reliever as recently as 2011. Instead, the job was left to an assortment of relief pitchers who couldn't close out the game.

Jason Hammel, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs along with Samardzija, was on the mound when the season ended. That's remarkable because outside of a few strong starts in September, Hammel has been a bust since arriving in Oakland. 

Wilson Ramos' Passed Ball in Game 1 of the NLDS

Kevin Liles/Getty Images

Wilson Ramos had a forgettable day in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. 

The Washington Nationals backstop went 0-for-3 at the plate and had defensive problems as well. In the third inning, Ramos allowed a passed ball on a pitch in the dirt from Stephen Strasburg, which ultimately resulted in the San Francisco Giants scoring an unearned run. 

After Bryce Harper and Asdrubal Cabrera both connected on home runs in the seventh, the Nats ended up losing by just a single run. 

Not Having Anibal Sanchez Ready to Throw More Than Two Innings in Relief

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Brad Ausmus was never going to let Anibal Sanchez throw more than two innings in a game, as Matthew B. Mowery of The Oakland Press reported. 

The problem is that's exactly what the Detroit Tigers needed from the starter-turned-reliever in Game 2 of the ALDS. The right-hander worked a scoreless sixth and seventh before Ausmus called on Joba Chamberlain in the eighth. The setup man promptly served up three runs and recorded just a single out, as he stumbled badly for a second night in a row. 

It's not surprising that Chamberlain couldn't get the job done, as the reliever has been highly inconsistent throughout the year. As Mowery notes, what is surprising is that the Tigers didn't do a better job of building up Sanchez's arm strength once he returned from the disabled list during the final week of the regular season. If they had, Game 2 of the series likely would have worked out much differently. 

Bob Melvin's Decision Not to Remove Jed Lowrie for Defense

Jed Lowrie is not known for his glove work. 

In the AL Wild Card Game, the Oakland Athletics shortstop didn't commit any errors, but he did botch a couple of key plays. Lowrie misplayed grounders in the first and eighth innings, and both of the baserunners eventually scored. Lowrie's miscue in the eighth was particularly costly, as it set in motion the Kansas City Royals' three-run rally in that frame. 

The big question for manager Bob Melvin: why was Lowrie even still in the game at that point? Oakland was up four runs with six outs to go, and the team had defensive specialist Andy Parrino sitting on the bench. Parrino is such an impressive defender that Johnny Doskow, the team's Triple-A broadcaster, refers to him as "The Magician." 

Mike Scioscia's Decision Not to Bench Josh Hamilton

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

Josh Hamilton was 0-for-October. 

It's not exactly a shock that the left fielder failed to get his bat going in the ALDS considering that he racked up just 14 at-bats in September thanks to shoulder and rib cage injuries. While defending his decision to play Hamilton, manager Mike Scioscia told Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register: "He needs to get some at-bats."

The playoffs are no time for a player to regain his swing. While the replacement options weren't overwhelming, either Efren Navarro or Collin Cowgill should have received the nod over the hobbled Hamilton. 

Bob Melvin Failing to Call a Pitchout Until It Was Too Late

Uncredited/Associated Press

The Kansas City Royals ran all over the Oakland Athletics in the AL Wild Card Game. 

The Royals piled up seven steals, which set a record for the most ever in a playoff game. It's unbelievable that manager Bob Melvin, a former big league catcher, wouldn't have thought to call a pitchout early on in an effort to stop the Royals' run game. 

Instead, Melvin waited until the 12th inning to make the call, and when he did, it proved fatal. Catcher Derek Norris dropped the pitchout, which allowed the eventual game-winning run to advance to second base. Salvador Perez then lined a single to left to end the contest. 

Madison Bumgarner's Errant Throw to Third Base in Game 3 of the NLDS

Madison Bumgarner got greedy. 

With no outs and runners on second and third in the seventh inning of Game 3 of the NLDS, there was no reason for Bumgarner to throw to third after Wilson Ramos had executed a sacrifice bunt. However, that's exactly what the left-hander did, as the Washington Nationals claimed a 2-0 advantage on their way to winning the contest 4-1.

The Giants still have a 2-1 series lead, but it's always dangerous to let a team as talented as the Nationals back into a series. 

Miguel Cabrera Getting Tagged out at Home in Game 2 of the ALDS

The Detroit Tigers were rolling along in Game 2 of the ALDS.

In the eighth inning, the club had just opened up a 6-3 edge over the Baltimore Orioles thanks to a double off the bat of Victor Martinez. Unfortunately for Detroit, right after Torii Hunter had scored, third base coach Dave Clark made the ill-advised decision to send Miguel Cabrera home all the way from first base. 

Cabrera was gunned out at the plate, and the rally came to a crashing halt, as the Tigers went from potentially having runners on second and third and no outs to just a runner on second and one out. 

Half an inning later, the bullpen let in four runs, and the Tigers fell 7-6, sinking into an 0-2 hole in the series. 

Matt Williams Pulling Jordan Zimmermann in the Ninth Inning of Game 2 of the NLDS

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Matt Williams gambled big time in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the NLDS.

With the Washington Nationals leading the San Francisco Giants 1-0, the manager removed Jordan Zimmermann after he issued a two-out walk. The move was highly controversial, as Zimmer had set down 20 Giants in a row before the free pass. 

Williams' call to the bullpen immediately backfired, as Drew Storen entered the game and allowed two hits as the tying run crossed the plate. The Nats never regained the lead, losing 2-1 in 18 innings.

ESPN's Mark Mulder was not a fan of the move, tweeting: "That has to be one of the worst decisions I have ever seen."

That's harsh, but Williams' quick hook is easily the worst decision of the 2014 playoffs. 

Note: All stats and videos courtesy of MLB.com. 

If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.