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Given the new stadiums and constant expectations, the pressure is on in New York.

By Karl Ravech, ESPN

The firing of Bob Melvin in Arizona was not a knee-jerk reaction.

In fact, while talk radio is fertile ground for emotional outbursts, it is a good thing most team owners and general managers don't listen, and if they do, they don't react to fans who overpay for tickets and demand a manager be fired after a loss.

In Arizona, Melvin ultimately was let go because the team was not responding to him and there was some question about his in-game ability to manage. What strikes me as odd is that less than two seasons ago, Melvin was manager of the year. But he is hardly the first to win the award and then be gone within a couple of years. It happened to Buck Showalter on more than one occasion.

Who's next? Where are expectations big? Both Joe Girardi and Jerry Manuel in New York have to be concerned. The investments each team has made in stadiums and player payroll all but guarantee both will be held to a very high standard. The Mets continue to show an inability to close out games they should win. It is not a closer issue; rather, it's a "make the right play at the right time" issue. The sniping between player-manager and general manager about leadership never sits too well in the long term.

New ownership never bodes well, either, and in San Diego, Bud Black's team is in last place. Heavy odds suggest the Padres will stay there the rest of the season. They are not a good team, and it's hardly Black's fault. Still, that is the formula for a managerial change. Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro is very loyal, but you have to wonder how long Eric Wedge will last. The beginning of the season has been a disaster, and just like for the Mets and Yankees, expectations were very high.

The fact of the matter is, in 2009, the economy is down and teams are not as likely to pay a manager and then go lay out big money to bring in someone new. Teams are more likely to shed payroll than fire managers. I don't believe Melvin's dismissal was a sign of things to come.

Past Baseball Tonight Clubhouses: May 12 | May 11 | May 10 | May 7 | May 6

TOUCH 'EM ALL

Who went deep? Keep track of all the home runs hit each day on "Baseball Tonight" and on the Baseball Tonight Clubhouse page.

For more, check out the Home Run Tracker page.

Home Run Tracker
NAME	HR	OPP	PITCHER	SITUATION
V. Martinez, Cle	7	CWS	Buehrle	Bot 1: 1-1, 2 Outs. None on.
R. Garko, Cle	2	CWS	Buehrle	Bot 4: 0-0, 2 Outs. 1 on.
F. Tatis, NYM	2	Atl	Carlyle	Bot 4: 1-0, 0 Outs. Gr. Slam.
G. Sheffield, NYM	2	Atl	Soriano	Bot 8: 1-1, 1 Out. None on.
M. Prado, Atl	2	NYM	Takahashi	Top 12: 3-2, 1 Out. None on.
T. Wigginton, Bal	2	TB	Niemann	Bot 2: 1-0, 1 Out. None on.
J. Rollins, Phi	2	LA	Wolf	Bot 2: 3-2, 0 Outs. None on.
J. Bartlett, TB	5	Bal	Bergesen	Top 3: 2-0, 1 Out. None on.
B. Gardner, NYY	1	Tor	Richmond	Top 2: 1-1, 0 Outs. 1 on.
S. Schumaker, StL	1	Pit	Ohlendorf	Top 4: 2-2, 0 Outs. None on.

The complete list of Wednesday's homers

ON DECK: THURSDAY'S BEST MATCHUPS

Red Sox at Angels

Ervin Santana, who's been out so far this season with a sprained elbow ligament, makes his return to the Angels' rotation. Santana went 16-7 with a 3.49 ERA in 2008. He's not the only starter making a return this week; the Angels announced John Lackey will be back Saturday.

Dodgers at Phillies

Cole Hamels showed signs of last season's form in his most recent start, getting a win with a solid six-inning effort against the Braves. The Dodgers' Chad Billingsley has been strong all season; he has not allowed more than three earned runs in a start all season.

Yankees at Blue Jays

CC Sabathia is coming off his best start with the Yankees, a complete-game shutout on the road against Baltimore. The big lefty has found his control; after opening the season with 14 walks in his first four starts, he's issued only two over his past three.

For the rest of Thursday's schedule, click here.