Phillies' Bailey Falter: Likely to open as fifth starter
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Falter is likely to open the season as the Phillies' fifth starter with Andrew Painter (elbow) sidelined, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
It is not yet known how long Painter might be sidelined, but he's certainly not going to be ready Opening Day, clearing the way for Falter to open as the team's No. 5 starter. Falter pitched well for Philadelphia last season, holding a 3.86 ERA and 74:17 K:BB over 84 innings, with 16 of his 20 appearances coming as a starter. The left-hander has an impressive minor-league track record as well, particularly when it comes to throwing strikes. Falter is more of a floor than ceiling play but could be worth using in deeper fantasy leagues while he's getting starts.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: In competition for rotation spot
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Falter's primary competition for the Phillies' No. 5 starter spot is phenom Andrew Painter, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Falter would be the more traditional selection for the fifth starter's spot, as he has paid his dues and had some success in the rotation last season, but he obviously can't match Painter's upside. The 25-year-old southpaw had a 3.76 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 71 strikeouts in 76.2 innings as a starter last season.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Not on World Series roster
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Falter was left off the Phillies' roster for the World Series on Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Falter started Game 4 of the NLCS and allowed four runs over two-thirds of an inning, and he won't be on the active roster for the World Series. The 25-year-old was a solid swingman for Philadelphia this season with a 3.86 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 74:17 K:BB across 84 innings.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Rocky start in Game 4
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Falter did not factor in the decision during Game 4's 10-6 win over the Padres on Saturday night, allowing four runs on three hits and a walk while striking out zero over 0.2 innings.
Falter was slated to have a short start Saturday, but he was unable to get through the first inning and was relieved by Connor Brogdon. After two quick outs, Manny Machado hit a solo homer and the Padres followed with a single, a walk and a two-run double to knock Falter out of the game. The 25-year-old had a similar gameplan in his final regular season appearance when he pitched a scoreless first inning against the Astros, but he was unable to replicate that success in Game 4 of the NLCS, though the Philadelphia offense mounted a comeback to take him off the hook for the loss.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Short Game 4 start expected
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Falter will start Game 4 of the NLCS against the Padres on Saturday, but he's only expected to pitch once through the order, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
He gets the nod after it was Noah Syndergaard who got the start in Game 4 of the previous series, but Falter is unlikely to remain in the game long enough to make a significant fantasy impact. The Phillies will feel comfortable turning to their bullpen early Saturday, as they have Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola lined up to start Games 5 and 6 (if necessary), respectively.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Set for one-inning start
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Falter is expected to throw only one inning in his start Wednesday in Houston, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
The Phillies won't have room in the rotation for Falter during the wild-card round, so he'll be making a start Wednesday that simulates what a relief appearance would look like for him in the postseason. Philadelphia called up Michael Plassmeyer from Triple-A Lehigh Valley earlier in the day and could turn to him in bulk relief behind Falter.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Pounded for six runs in loss
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Falter gave up six earned runs on 10 hits and no walks while striking out six over 3.2 innings in a 6-3 loss to Atlanta on Saturday.
Falter was done in by the long ball, as the biggest damage to his line came on a pair of home runs off the bats of William Contreras and Michael Harris. Falter has now made two starts in a row against Atlanta. He gave up only one run in the previous start, but it appears that the extra look at his stuff may have allowed the opposition to get a read on him as a pitcher. Falter's ERA has now risen to 4.21, and he will need to make an adjustment his next time out at Washington if he hopes to pick up his sixth win with only a couple of turns through the rotation left in the season.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Coughs up one run
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Falter yielded one run on four hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against Atlanta on Sunday. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision.
Falter had earned a win in five straight outings before failing to record a decision in Sunday's loss. The only damage against him came from Robbie Grossman's RBI double in the third frame. Falter is now sporting a 3.68 ERA with a 62:15 K:BB through 17 appearances. The 25-year-old southpaw is sporting a 2.45 ERA across his last seven starts. Falter is projected to start at home against Atlanta next week.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Staying in rotation
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Falter will remain in the Phillies' rotation once Zack Wheeler (forearm) is activated next week, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
To create room for Wheeler in the rotation, the Phillies will move Noah Syndergaard to a relief role, at least in the short term. Falter has a 2.52 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 30:3 K:BB in 35.2 innings over his last six starts. He'll pick up another start Sunday in Atlanta and tentatively lines up to face Atlanta again next weekend in Philadelphia.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Excellent performance in win
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Falter (5-3) earned the victory Tuesday in Miami, striking out four in six innings while allowing a run on four hits.
Falter allowed a solo homer to Bryan De La Cruz in the fifth inning and scattered three singles the rest of the way as he limited Miami to one run. He's been the winning pitcher in each of his last five starts and has a 2.43 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 22:2 K:BB in 29.2 innings in that span. Tuesday's start was his fourth straight without issuing a walk. With Zack Wheeler (forearm) nearing a return, Falter may only get one more start for the Phillies before moving to a bullpen role.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Looks ready to go Wednesday
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Falter (groin) is listed as the Phillies' probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Marlins in Philadelphia.
Falter doesn't look as though he'll have to miss a turn through the rotation after he exited his Aug. 31 outing in Arizona with a right groin injury. According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, Falter's groin showed improvement two days after the start, so he's not expected to face any major restrictions when he takes the hill again Wednesday. Over his last four starts with the big club, Falter has gone 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA and 0.82 WHIP while racking up 23 strikeouts over 24.1 innings.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Sleeper pitchers for Week 23 (Sept. 5-11)
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Turns out Falter is sticking in the rotation with Zack Wheeler still on the mend. He's had three straight quality starts since re-joining the rotation and couldn't ask for a better matchup this week than against the Marlins, who rank dead last offensively against left-handed pitchers.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Draws another start
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Falter is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks in Arizona.
Falter will be making his second straight turn through the rotation while the Phillies remain without Zack Wheeler (forearm), who was placed on the injured list last week. After striking out six and allowing three earned runs over six innings en route to earning the win his last time out Friday against the Pirates, Falter takes a 4.41 ERA and 1.24 WHIP into Wednesday's contest.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Notches win Friday
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Falter (2-3) allowed three runs on five hits over six innings Friday, striking out six and earning a win over Pittsburgh.
Falter tossed three shutout frames before coughing up a two-run shot to Bryan Reynolds in the fourth inning, followed by a Rodolfo Castro solo homer in the fifth. The 25-year-old southpaw is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA and nine strikeouts in two MLB starts this month, but Falter is sporting a 4.41 ERA through 51 innings on the season. He's currently projected to start in Arizona next week.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Recalled ahead of start
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Falter was recalled as expected ahead of his start Friday against the Pirates.
Falter allowed one run on two hits in six innings against the Mets his last time out, earning his first major-league win of the season. He was sent down after that outing but is allowed to return just six days later as that game was part of a doubleheader. In eight starts and four relief appearances at the MLB level this season, Falter owns a 4.40 ERA and 1.29 WHIP, with his 2.0 HR/9 standing as his most significant red flag.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Returns to minors
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The Phillies optioned Falter to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.
As expected, Falter was returned to Lehigh Valley after being designated as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Mets. He started the second game of the twin bill and picked up the win after striking out three over six innings of one-run ball. Falter should be the top choice to enter the rotation if the Phillies require a new fifth starter at any point over the final six weeks of the season.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Sharp for first win
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Falter (1-3) allowed one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out three across six innings to earn the win in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets.
Falter struggled through the first inning, hitting a batter, handing out two free passes and also throwing a wild pitch. It appeared he wouldn't be in for a long outing, but he settled in to retire 10 consecutive batters en route to his first win of the season. Falter served as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader and will be returned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday as a result. However, he could be back up with the big-league club prior to the close of the campaign and now has a 4.40 ERA and 40:13 K:BB across 45 innings with the Phillies for the season.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Starting nightcap
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The Phillies recalled Falter from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and designated him as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Mets. He'll start the second game of the twin bill.
Falter has made seven starts and four relief appearances for the Phillies this season, posting a 4.85 ERA. The long ball has been a problem, as he owns a 2.3 HR/9, thanks in part to a very low 28.8 percent groundball rate. He'll face a tough task keeping the Mets' lineup quiet at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Set to start next weekend
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Falter is scheduled to start one of the two games in the Phillies' doubleheader against the Mets on Aug. 20, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Falter has started seven games for the Phillies this season, and his eighth start is set to come next weekend. Falter has faced the Mets twice this season and has allowed six runs (three earned) over 5.0 innings against them.
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Phillies' Bailey Falter: Returned to minors
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The Phillies optioned Falter to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following Wednesday's 3-1 win over Atlanta.
Though he struck out eight in a quality start in his last trip to the mound July 29 in Pittsburgh, Falter was sent back to the minors after the Phillies no longer had room for him in the rotation following the acquisition of Noah Syndergaard from the Angels on Tuesday. Syndergaard is slated to start Thursday's series opener with the Nationals and will fill the opening on the 26-man active roster vacated by Falter.
