GDT 10/12/22 Philadelphia Phillies (Wheeler) @ Atlanta Braves (Wright)

[zambonir]

Well I guess that depends what they script. I will concede that Falter finished the season as our 4th starter, and thus far has been saved for that role. But given the top of the Braves' order I would still consider an opener - yes, even Gibson if Thor were somehow to be needed tomorrow - and barring that I think they'll be planning on a tandem. A plan Falter could cancel by getting 18 guys out in five or six innings, of course! Ranger's start wasn't a "bullpen game" or tandem but he still only went 3 1/3.

The easy answer to this is to get 7 strong from Nola and then just about anybody is available before or after Falter, without Gibson or Nelson ever coming up.

[Sabin]

Ranger's start wasn't a "bullpen game" or tandem but he still only went 3 1/3.

That's kind of my point. A traditional "bullpen game" going in involves using arms from your bullpen - i.e., not the starting rotation. Falter (or Syndegaard or Gibson, etc.) will almost certainly be on a shorter lease than normal, but unless he falters (apologies) I would think their plan would be to try to get a solid four innings out of him, extra credit for anything beyond that.

I do agree that given the bats and the playoff atmosphere they likely don't plan on trying a third pass through Atlanta's lineup with him.

[zambonir]

So if Syndegaard, a starting pitcher who lost his spot in the rotation but is now a reliever (save for a doubleheader) starts, is it a "bullpen game."?

Thomson hasn’t named a Game 4 starter and doesn’t intend to until the Phillies get through Game 3. But he will have to choose from among Noah Syndergaard, rookie lefty Bailey Falter, and veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson — or some combination thereof. Falter hasn’t pitched since Oct. 5, and as a team, the Braves hit lefties better than righties in the regular season. Gibson had a 9.73 ERA over his final six starts.

Syndergaard is the likeliest choice, with a scoreless 16-pitch eighth inning in Game 2 serving as a potential tune-up after he hadn’t pitched since Oct. 1. But what if the Phillies need him in relief Friday?

The Phillies can still topple the champs, but they can’t waste another chance

[Sabin]

Well, I don't know that I consider one relief appearance toward the end of the season as "losing his spot in the rotation", especially when you consider how Gibson was over his last six starts. Had the season gone another few weeks I have a strong feeling we would have seen Syndergaard back on the bump to open a few games.

Point being, Syndergaard, Falter, and even Gibson and his 9.73 ERA are all still considered starting pitchers for the time being. That bottom of the rotation starters would be on short leashes in postseason starts is nothing really new, right?

[zambonir]

He did lose it to Falter though (and Gibson didn't). once Wheeler came back. Agreed that might have changed.

Certainly it is all semantics: opener vs. bullpen game vs. just a starter who doesn't go very long. And in the playoffs starters become middle relievers too. What will be interesting to see is if there's a plan, but those still change depending on how will it gets executed of course.

First, win tomorrow.