Santiago Casilla wasn’t a happy camper after being passed over during the San Francisco Giants season-ending meltdown in Game 4 of the NLDS.
The Giants entered the ninth inning on Tuesday with a 5-2 lead. San Francisco opted to use relievers Derek Law, Javier Lopez, Sergio Romo, Will Smith, and Hunter Strickland as Casilla sat on the bench. Those relievers combined to allow four runs, effectively ending the Giants season.
Casilla openly wondered to Carl Steward of the San Jose Mercury News why his name wasn’t called ahead of five other relievers.
“Never,” he said. “I’m a pitcher. I’m part of the bullpen. I know I have had some bad moments in September and during the season, but I have good numbers in the playoffs and I know I can pitch in that situation. I know I can pitch in the big leagues.”
Casilla isn’t wrong – he’s been fantastic in the Postseason during his career, sporting a 0.92 ERA playoff ERA and three World Series rings. But manager Bruce Bochy wasn’t making a blind decision. Casilla struggled badly in September with three blown saves and a 5.87 ERA. The 36-year-old also had a shaky time during his only Postseason appearance, allowing two hits in 2/3 of an inning in the Giants’ 5-2 loss in Game 2.
The right-handed reliever said the Giants were accessing his ability with a dose of recency bias.
“I think they forgot all the great moments I’ve had here. I’ve pitched a lot in the playoffs and done my job. I know I am a good pitcher.”
It was surprising Casilla wasn’t one of the five relievers used by the Giants, but not putting him out there isn’t an indefensible decision by Bochy. It’s a shame as Casilla enters free agency, it’s unlikely he’ll continue his storied Giants career.
