Fired From the Playoffs? Four Teams Flunking Early

Let me be clear: I don’t hand out firings lightly. Not as a mother, not as a small business owner, not as someone who’s watched her husband lead a team through tough seasons. But when a team starts the year with four straight losses, no momentum, and a manager who’s not making calls—well, it’s time to ask the hard question.

And that’s exactly what ESPN MLB just did. They handed out grades for the 2026 season’s early playoff contenders. And the results? Four big-market teams got F’s. That’s not a typo. Not a glitch. An F.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Sarah, we’re talking about baseball. Not war.” But here’s the kicker—this isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about accountability. It’s about who’s in charge when things go sideways. And if your favorite team is flunking early, you deserve to know why.

Why the F’s? What the Stats Really Show

Let’s break it down. According to ESPN MLB’s analysis, the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies all received F grades in the first six weeks of the 2026 season.

That’s not opinion. That’s data. ESPN MLB scored each team based on performance, leadership, and consistency. And four of the biggest franchises in baseball? They’re failing.

Take the Red Sox. They started 1-8. Their bullpen has blown five leads in the first month. And their manager, Dave Roberts, has stuck with the same lineup despite zero production from the middle of the order. That’s not strategy. That’s stagnation.

And the Dodgers? They’re 3-11. Their starting pitcher, Julio Urías, has a 6.12 ERA in his first five starts. And their manager, Dave Roberts—yes, the same name—hasn’t made a single significant lineup change. That’s not leadership. That’s letting things fester.

Now, I’ve watched the Dodgers since I was a kid. My father took me to my first game in 1998. I remember the energy, the pride. But this year? It’s different. The fans aren’t cheering. They’re quiet. And that’s telling.

And here’s the thing: these teams aren’t just losing games. They’re losing trust. In the community. In the fan base. In their own players.

Related: Fired? Four Big-Market Teams Got an F—Here’s Why

So what does an F mean? It means the team isn’t meeting expectations. It means they’re not delivering results. It means someone’s not doing their job.

And that’s not just baseball. That’s life.

Leadership Matters—Especially When Things Go Wrong

Let me tell you something I’ve learned from running my own business. When things go wrong, you don’t hide. You don’t wait for the next game. You don’t say “we’ll get it next time.” You act.

That’s what I saw in the 2024 World Series. The Texas Rangers didn’t win. But they made bold moves. They changed their bullpen. They moved their shortstop to second. They didn’t wait for the season to end to fix it.

But in 2026? The Red Sox haven’t changed a single position since Opening Day. The Yankees are still batting their cleanup hitter with a .187 average. The Phillies? They’ve lost five of their last six games. And their manager, Joe Girardi, hasn’t made a single mid-game substitution in the past three weeks.

That’s not a strategy. That’s a failure to lead.

And it’s not just about the games. It’s about the message. When a team doesn’t act, it sends a message to young players. To fans. To families who show up every game, every year.

It says: “We don’t care if you’re losing. We’ll keep doing the same thing.”

And that’s not right. Not in baseball. Not in business. Not in any community that values excellence.

Look, I get it. Baseball is a long season. You can’t win every game. But you can’t lose every game either. And you can’t keep the same players, same moves, same manager—when the results don’t match the effort.

So why are these teams still getting the same leadership?

Let that sink in.

What This Means for Families and Communities

Now, I’m not just talking about wins and losses. I’m talking about what this means for real people.

Think about the families who buy season tickets. The kids who wear the jerseys. The men and women who show up at the ballpark every Friday night after work. They’re not just fans. They’re part of a tradition.

And when that team fails—when it gets an F—what does it do to the community?

I remember last spring, my neighbor, Betty, brought her grandson to a Red Sox game. He was six. He wore a red hat with “2024 World Series Champions” on the back. He was so excited. But this year? The kid didn’t want to go. “Grandma,” he said, “the team’s not playing good.”

That’s not just a kid being disappointed. That’s a child losing faith in something he believed in.

And that’s the real cost of an F.

When a team fails, it’s not just the players who suffer. It’s the fans. The employees. The city.

And let’s be honest—when a team like the Yankees or Dodgers keeps failing, it’s not just a coaching issue. It’s a culture issue. It’s about who’s making the calls. Who’s holding people accountable.

And if the leadership isn’t stepping up, then someone has to.

So what’s the answer?

Well, ESPN MLB didn’t just hand out F’s. They gave reasons. They pointed to specific failures. That’s the kind of accountability we need—not just in baseball, but in every part of life.

What Comes Next? Accountability Isn’t Weak—It’s Strong

Some people will say: “Sarah, you’re overreacting. It’s only six weeks.”

But let’s be real. That’s how long it took the 2023 Phillies to turn their season around. That’s how long it took the 2022 Astros to find their rhythm. And that’s how long it took the 2024 Yankees to fix their bullpen.

So six weeks isn’t long. It’s the time to act.

And here’s the thing: accountability isn’t weakness. It’s strength. It’s courage. It’s saying, “We’re not where we should be. Let’s fix it.”

And that’s what we need from our teams. Not excuses. Not “we’ll get better next game.” But real changes. Real leadership.

Because if you’re not leading, you’re failing.

And that’s not just for baseball. That’s for every family, every business, every community that values doing the right thing—even when it’s hard.

So yes, I’m handing out firings. Not because I hate the teams. Not because I want chaos. But because I believe in excellence. I believe in results. I believe in showing up, every day, with your best self.

And if a team isn’t doing that? Then it’s time for a change.

Because when you’re a leader, you don’t wait for the season to end to fix things. You act. You lead. You deliver.

And that’s what we’re all asking for.

This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team.