Was going to say something similar... having not watched the game live, I saw the angst in here and fully expected to see him hit hard, often, and basically luck his way to a save. I guess everybody is upset with the first walk of the year? Or him going from striking guys out on 3-4 pitches to having to go to full counts? We all know he's a head-case... that much is proven when you're actually better in save situations than not. But he's "our" head-case... and the good Giles is still plenty good enough to save games, and fortunately (or unfortunately) remains the only guy who can consistently get 3 outs in the 9th in close games on this team.
Look, Giles sucks. He regularly misses his location by feet, not inches. When he lets the ball go, he has no clue where it will end up. I suppose one might say he isn’t wildly effective. Whatever. His command is garbage. He is like a hitter with unsustainably high BABIP - you know it’s a big illusion.
Glad we won, but should've been a BlowOut. Sorry ass BOS starter and we only score 4.. with better starters incoming ?!! Series seems like a SPLIT.. but I will eat crow. We could use better than a split considering recent mishaps.
He's OUR headcase for sure. Probably the most polarizing player on the team. While his April/March numbers are solid, in May, he has given 14 hits in 8 IP with a 7.88 ERA. Their is no way to spin this as anything but bad. So he has had 1 good month and 1 bad one. I suppose his legacy will be determined by which Giles shows up the rest of the season. April Giles or May Giles.
The Yankees game (tie game, back-to-back). The Indians game (getting work in game, 17 pitch first batter AB). Actually, expecting him to continue to be perfect in save situations is not a realistic expectation.... but he still remains far better in those specific situations vs any other scenario. Luckily enough, he's being paid to perform in those specific situations... and that's what his brain is wired to excel at.
In 10 May appearances, we went on to win 8 (no ER) and lost 2 (7 ER). Using May as a model, he was effective 80% of the time. March /April was about the same if the criteria is not giving up earned runs. So, is 80% good in this context? Or should it be looked at as a 20% chance we lose if he appears? I would guess that much of the divisiveness is about his demeanor. We like a level headed, tough minded and well grounded guy to close games. Giles just isn't that.
I would think the criteria for Giles is finishing a game we win, or holding the score if he's not trying to close. He has done his job in 18 of his 21 appearances. 10/10 in saves, 4/5 finishes, 4/6 holding the line. Granted 2 of his failures have been majestic in nature. After his nuclear meltdown last year nobody can say with honesty they feel comfortable with him finishing games in October, but I can say I feel more comfortable with him in save situations right now than I do with anybody else on the team.
Zach Britton Closer for the Orioles made his debut in A ball striking out the side, after coming back from Achilles surgery
Text book bunt. Red Sox lucky to get an out. https://www.mlb.com/astros/video/marisnicks-rbi-bunt/c-2104965783?tid=8879000
I'm concerned at how inconsistent Giles' windup was last night. Sometimes he just sort of came to partial stop on the rubber and launched into a pitch without coming fully set. Other times, he'd come set and do a proper delivery. Like a basketball player changing up his free throw routine between shots. It may work out, but it's probably not good for consistency. Maybe it was nerves or something else leading to that. I don't think it really matters. I wish Verlander could chat with him. Justin's obviously got liquid nitrogen in his veins, anyway, but even if he didn't, he's completely rigorous about always using the same basic routine and mechanics for each pitch, and that's got to go a huge way towards keeping his consistency regardless of situation.
I hear what you're saying about the importance of a consistent delivery (and I didn't catch the game last night), both in terms of getting good results and avoiding injury. But pitchers do often alter the timing of their delivery to throw another wrinkle at the batter. Kershaw is a guy with a funky delivery that he can slightly mix up at times, and I think Cueto is a master at it. Not sure if this is Giles' plan, though.
Giles is basically a 9th inning innings-eater until the postseason, where, he'll be given two chances to succeed. If he fails, Astros will make due maybe better than last year since the rotation is better. An upgrade is welcomed, but Giles is good enough for regular season saves.
If you really want to break it down like that, he was effective 100% of the time in save situations. To me, the Giles connundrum is far simpler than some of you make it out to be. It also helps if you're not actively rooting for him to fail (which some here admittedly are).
Walks are missing outside the zone. he misses inside the zone plenty. Rematch yesterdays performance and see how many pitches he threw that were in the heart of the strike zone. sure, sometimes the hitter takes he pitch, or swings and misses, or hits it to a defender. those are what happens after the lousy pitch is thrown. Ken Giles is not a good pitcher.
Giles is 10 for 10 in saves. Everyone else combined has also had 10 save opportunities...3 saves and 7 blown saves.
