The Giants began Saturday by honoring four relievers who were pillars (or faces) of the championship era.
You knew Jeremy Affeldt, Santiago Casilla, Javier Lopez, and Serigo Romo shined in October, but have a look:
The Giants’ “Core Four” in the playoffs, 2010 - 2014
Santiago Casilla: 19 IP, 2 ER (0.95 ERA)
Javier Lopez: 12.1 IP, 1 ER (0.73 ERA)
Jeremy Affeldt: 26 IP, 2 ER (0.69 ERA)
Sergio Romo: 21.1 IP, 5 ER (2.11 ERA)
Total: 78.2 IP, 10 ER (1.14 ERA)
Appreciation for those performances only grows over time. Same goes for the entire relief corps. of those title teams. The Giants had top-five bullpens in 2010 and 2014.
Reliable relievers not only close out tight wins but they keep deficits within reach. Those Giants teams were the benefactors of that. This Giants team is not.
Only three NL teams have a worse bullpen ERA.
Take Saturday's ninth inning, when the Twins turned a 3-2 lead into 4-2. Giving an extra run to their flame-throwing closer makes a comeback that much more unattainable for the Giants.
When you add up those innings over 162 games, you cost yourself a lot of games you never knew you had a chance to win.
Up next: The Giants close out the first half with Blake Snell (0-3, 7.85 ERA) on the mound against Chris Paddack (5-3, 5.18 ERA). If this team is going to sniff contention, Snell will have to play a big part. First pitch at 1:05 p.m.