Giles off to Jekyll and Hyde start with Blue Jays

Ken Giles’ performance out of the bullpen is worthy of a Robert Louis Stevenson yarn. There definitely has been a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde dynamic to his appearances this season.

Giles, who was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays as part of the Roberto Osuna deal on July 30, is 12-for-12 in save opportunities this season (11 IP, seven hits, one walk, 15 strikeouts with an 0.00 ERA). He has allowed all 23 of his earned runs in non-save situations (22.1 IP, 43 hits, four walks, 35 K, 9.27 ERA). In Tuesday night’s 10-7 loss to the Boston Red Sox, Giles came in during the top of the 10th with the score tied 5-5 and gave up four hits and five runs in 0.2 innings pitched in non-save situation.

So how can a guy with closer-like stuff be so sub-par when there is no save on the line? Both pitching coach Pete Walker and manager John Gibbons have seen this scenario before, even with their former closer Osuna at times. Gibbons said relief pitchers get accustomed to specific roles, particularly closers and setup men, and are out of their comfort zone when they’re used differently.

“It may be a little bit of a mental meltdown when they don’t have that save situation, and you do see it across baseball sometimes,” said Walker.

Over his last seven games, Giles has an ERA of 15.88 and is 0-1 with one save. In 5.2 innings, he has given up 12 hits and 10 earned runs with only one walk and eight strikeouts. Obviously Jays fans, even those who believe Toronto did the right thing in trading Osuna — who faces a domestic-assault rap — aren’t thrilled with what Giles has brought to the table. But Gibbons and Walker believe his struggles since the trade are probably more to do with just being with a new team and not having pitched in the majors for nearly a month before joining Toronto. When he’s on, the Albuquerque, N.M., native has great stuff: a fastball that sits around 97 mph with a slider at around 87, as well as an occasional change-up and sinker. He had 34 saves for the world champion Houston Astros last season.

“We’re just trying to get him back to where he needs to be. It may take a little time, but his stuff is still there. The power’s there, it’s just a matter of him executing a little better,” said Walker.

“Obviously, it’s frustrating when you make your first appearance at home and you have a tough one, but most closers have short memories, and I think he came to the ballpark today anxious to get back on track.