Aside from their starting pitching, the San Francisco Giants’ second best asset is their relief pitching. As a unit they are one of the best in baseball, and with the diversity of styles and characters that comprise it, will hopefully have the same success as last year. Here’s a breakdown of who’ll be sitting out in the bullpen for the G-Men:
Jeremy Affeldt:
The big left hander is a great set-up guy and a good candidate to possibly make an extended relief appearance. He had a 4.14 ERA in 53 appearances last year, getting 4 wins and 4 saves in the process. The Giants definitely need a guy like Affeldt to have a good season.
Santiago Casilla:
This hard throwing righty will likely get Brian Wilson’s save opportunities until he returns from the DL, and with due cause. He sported a 1.95 ERA last season in 55.1 innings of work with a 7-2 record and 2 saves. Santiago is a good guy to have for situational match-ups and situations like Brian Wilson being on the DL.
Javier Lopez:
Lopez was acquired last July, and changed the Giants bullpen for the better from day one. His left handed, side arm delivery is tough to pick up on as a hitter, and Javy’s got the stats to prove it. He only made 36 appearances for the Giants including the postseason, but had an impressive 1.97 ERA during that span. Another situational guru that will play an integral part in the Giants success this year.
Guillermo Mota:
Mota is another guy that can eat up some innings for the Giants, finishing the season with a 4.33 ERA and a record of 1-3. He was a guy that had to battle to get a bullpen spot, and hopefully he will have a fruitful season for the G-Men.
Ramon Ramirez:
Another trade deadline pickup for the Giants last year, Ramirez is righty who is great set-up guy and always a candidate to be brought in to get important outs. In 25 regular season appearances last year he had a 0.69 ERA with a win and a save. Ramon could possibly be called on for extended relief appearances as well.
Sergio Romo:
The other bearded guy in the Giants ’pen, Romo is another great addition with his right handed, side arm style and some serious filth in his quiver. He had a 5-3 record with a 2.13 ERA in 68 appearances last year, as well as recording a win during the postseason. Romo and Lopez are great compliments to one another, and its always nice to have two gifted sidearms in the bullpen.
Dan Runzler:
Runzler is another big left hander stashed away in the bullpen, but is always ready to bring it. Dan had a 3-0 record last year with a 3.03 ERA in 41 appearances, and was in a dogfight with some of the invitees this spring to make the bull pen. He beat out veterans who had nice springs themselves like Jeff Suppan and Marc Kroon.
Brian Wilson:
The bearded savior himself. The 2010 All-Star led the NL in saves last year with 48, and had 93 strikeouts in 74.2 innings of work. And despite his stint on the DL to start the season, I don’t see it slowing him down too much. I’m predicting another All-Star appearance for B Weezy this year for sure.