Steve Davis: No Problem With Sending Casilla
We had a lot of texts and calls from people saying they didn't understand why Buck sent Casilla on the steal in the 9th. I have no issue with it.
Casilla was 7 for 8 stealing bases, Rodney does not go to the plate fast, and Molina throws out less than 30% of his runners. With those odds, you have to like his chances of success. This, to me, is one of those classic cases where the Rays made a better play than the Orioles.
What's the alternative? Bunt him over to 2nd. Now, you have a runner on 2nd with one out. Valencia, as good a game as he had going, is hitting about .150 vs. righties and just 2 for 10 lifetime vs. Rodney. I don't like those chances of him getting a hit. If Casilla steals the base, then I'd sac him to 3rd, and try to get a sac fly to tie it.
The Orioles had greater issues than Casilla getting thrown out. Heck, they stranded 5 guys on third.