Call to the pen
Fansided

Phillies’ critical inning

By Tal Venada

MIAMI, FL - MAY 2: Manager Gabe Kapler #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies takes the baseball from Aaron Nola #27 during a pitching change in the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on May 2, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - MAY 2: Manager Gabe Kapler #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies takes the baseball from Aaron Nola #27 during a pitching change in the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on May 2, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
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Giles has had his share of disappointments in Houston. Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images. /

100 Miles Giles:

In 2014, Ken Giles began that April with a promotion to the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils before quickly advancing to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Phillies. Early on, he drew a comparison to Craig Kimbrel because of his stuff: a four-seam fastball and a slider.

Giles recorded one save, 13 holds and no blown opportunities in ’14. As for 2015, he had 15 saves, and 12 holds out of 32 chances. And doing so increased his value for an offseason deal with the Houston Astros, who were willing to overpay for the young closer.

When Klentak took management’s reins, the aging veterans had departed for new teams, but he had Giles to swap for young pitching. Well, the GM still has Vince Velasquez and right-hander Tom Eshelman from that deal, but the IronPig’s campaign isn’t good: 1-5 for 11 starts with a 7.06 ERA for 51 innings through June 7.

Giles, 27.5: Chances are for saves and holds combined.

  • 2014: 44 Gms., 45 2/3 Inn., 1.18 ERA, 1 Save, 13 Holds and 14 Chances (Phillies).
  • 2015: 69 Gms., 70 Inn., 1.80 ERA, 15 Saves, 12 Holds and 32 Chances (Phillies).
  • 2016: 69 Gms., 65 2/3 Inn., 4.11 ERA, 15 Saves, 18 Holds and 38 Chances.
  • 2017: 63 Gms., 62 2/3 Inn., 2.30 ERA, 34 Saves, 2 Holds and 40 Chances.
  • *2018: 23 Gms., 20 Inn., 5.40 ERA, 10 Saves, 0 Holds and 10 Chances.
  • * All 2018 stats are through June 7.

Giles’ time in Houston has been a mixed bag. For instance, following his up-and-down ’16 was his solid ’17 until his postseason ineffectiveness produced December’s speculation for a replacement. Ergo, his ring came with an asterisk.

According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Giles not only had a blowup against the New York Yankees on May 1 but also punched himself in the face leading to a three-day MLB suspension. Say what you will about a Hector Neris‘ adventure, but he lost a game, not his cool. The grass isn’t greener!

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