Falter makes sense until Thor or Suarez make one bad start of course and then everyone will freak out
The Game 3 starter thing is a question they don't really have to answer until there's actually a Game 3. Yeah, they will have to set the roster with it in mind. But a de facto bullpen game does seem most likely. So then the question is do Thor and Gibson even make the cut.
Gelb says Thor doesn't, which I guess is not punitive but rather means he's your Game 1 NLDS starter potentially. In tandem with Falter perhaps?
Of Falter, Eflin, Thor, and Suarez, Falter has been the most consistent in the second half. I pick him as #3 if we get there.
Bailey Falter's last 5 starts: 5-0, 2.43 ERA, 22 SO, 2 BB, 29 2/3 IP, Opposiong batters slashing: .209/.237/.336
It would still take a lot for any manager to pick him over Suarez so long as Suarez's innings are being managed and he still seems at the right level of health and strength. But either way the tandem with Elfin would be smart.
It will also depend on the opponent.
I do still think think Falter's vaccination status is also a slight concern. Though I suspect the only reason we aren't seeing more cases at this point is because nobody reports symptoms anymore, let alone tests, so I suppose if he got the sniffles on the last road trip nobody would ever know. And that's pretty much where the world is too.
As it should be.
They need to bring up Darrick Hall ASAP. Replacing Hoskins in the line-up with Sosa is a big step down.
But Hoskins was replaced by Bohm, and Sosa is actually not a big step down from Bohm. Unless you only factor in offense.
Hoskins is not gonna be out long. I think they want Hall to keep getting ABs, though at some point he needs to get used to the role of not getting ABs. They should certainly bring him to Atlanta if Rhys remains questionable. He's probably better defensively at 1B than Bohm too, if only from familiarity?
Well, technically,yes. But Bohm was already in the line-up. Last night we had Hoskins and Bohm. Tonight we had Bohm and Sosa. I would rather have Hallâs bat in the line-up than Sosa. I would replace Sands with Hall as a pinch hitter. Hoskins may be out longer than just today.
You realize this makes no sense. Hoskins and Bohm were both full-timers in the lineup. Bohm moved to 1B, but didn't replace Hoskins in the lineup, because he was already there. The new guys in the lineup is Marsh to lesser extent Segura. A lot of guys came back recently. Not really fair to say either Bohm or Sosa replaced Hoskins in the lineup.
But last night that is what happened. It's no different than when Bohm moves to DH and Sosa plays 3B. Which only happened because either or Harper or Castellanos was unavailable to DH. But bottom line, the team can win games without Hoskins just like they have won games without Harper and Castellanos. Sure, Hall might replace Hoskins and contribute to the run scoring. But Sosa contributes to the run prevention. It's hardly cut-and-dried (and that's without even mentioning what Sosa did with the bat for a few games).
Now, maybe Hall should be at 1B instead of Bohm and Sosa should be at 3B instead of Bohm. At least on some nights. But that's another conversation. And it's all moot if Rhys plays tomorrow. Obviously if he's out longer Hall should return (unless Castellanos can first).
Well, Donny Sands has not appeared in a game since September 3rd (a blowout). We never needed 3 catchers. Hall had sat for a couple of weeks so they wanted him to get at bats and get back on track. That has now happened in the last 10 days.
They should call Hall up immediately even if Hoskins is ready to play. Hall for Sands. Then any determination on Sosa should depend on the severity of his injury (Munoz?). The Sands move never made sense other than needing an extra hitter for a few days while Hall got back on track. We have a fine backup catcher. We can't DH JT because of Bryce. A 3rd catcher is a waste of a roster spot.
Wheeler will soon surpass the one-month mark since he last pitched. How soon will be ready? The Phillies could go into the playoffs with Wheeler and Eflin in the pen or as openers at this point.And we haven't heard anything about Castellanos in a few days either....
Copying this over from the minor league thread to comment. It's an interesting change they've made in his approach- having him 'sit' down a bit more in his setup. Usually the adjustment is the other way around, but it seems to agree with him.
Possible that quiets some of the movement he had before the pitch. It might make him a bit quicker to the ball against good fastballs.
Sosa to the 10-day IL. Munoz called up to take his place on the active roster.
A little surprised they did not go get Hall too. Maybe they are waiting a day to see about Hoskins since there is a LHP for the Braves tonight and Hall would not have started anyway. Note that would be Hall for Sands. They obviously would bring him up for Hoskins if an IL move were required there.
Well, I don't think I can make the same argument for Munoz at 3B (Bohm is once against at 1B tonight). But you can make the case that they could use Hall as a PH tonight just as much - or just as little - as they might in a playoff game.
When can we expect an update on Castellanos? LeHigh Valley only has 8 games remaining after tonight. How does he get game ready for the playoffs?Guessing Coonrod gets optioned when Wheeler returns. Hope he can get healthy this off season.
Castellanos felt sore 4-5 days ago and was backing off his rehab for a few days. Hopefully he is restarting it now. Does not sound like he'd be ready this weekend. If he gets activated that last week it might have to be without any game action unless they get him a day or two of plate appearances in the instructional league.
Edit - And looking at the Lehigh Valley schedule they are home this week through Sunday but up in Syracuse for the last 3 games the next Monday-Wednesday. Can't imagine they'll send him to Syracuse to rehab.
And in the most predictable roster move of the year. Wheeler up Coonrod down.
They had to do that. He was not pitching well since he came back. Should not cost them an option I believe since he will have been on optional assignment for less than 20 days (only 8 days left in the AAA season). I wonder also if the 15 day assignment rule applies after the AAA season is over though I suppose any further recall would be for an injury so they can do that if needed.
Still want them to bring Hall back. I suppose they might want to keep Guthrie instead and Sands could go down for Castellanos whenever he is ready.
