Former MLB Pitcher Shares Stats on Umpire’s ‘Brutal’ Night vs. Yankees

Nitkowski, who is on SiriusXM MLB Network Radio and broadcasts Atlanta Braves games, has no skin in this Yankees-Astros game. Inconsistent umpiring just gets under his skin.

@UmpireScorecard was more generous, rating Walsh’s correct call % at 90% and noting he missed 16 calls. That was a 1.5 run advantage for the Astros. @UmpireAuditor reported that Walsh missed 21 calls. 

The Yankees hitters bristled at strike calls that looked off the plate, and the night ended with Jazz Chisholm Jr. staring at strike three in a spot most agreed was outside. Chisholm’s frustration boiled over and Devin Williams, who claimed Walsh made four wrong calls against him as he walked three, complained after the game. Williams and Aaron Boone were ejected for telling Walsh he missed calls. 

For the Yankees, it wasn’t about just one bad night. 

They’re battling to keep their top wild-card spot and make a run at the Blue Jays, who sit atop the American League East. The inconsistent strike zone was too much to fight as well. 

Whether he missed 23, 16 or 21 calls, Wednesday night was bad for Walsh too. Instead of talking about the Astros’ comeback win, the baseball world was talking about Walsh’s mistakes. 

MLB doesn’t make public discipline for umpires, and Walsh will likely be back behind the plate soon. But thanks to these numbers, fans now have evidence to back up what their eyes told them. There were too many missed calls.