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The Philadelphia Phillies Have A Bailey Falter Problem

Placeholder Shilloutte User Image By Connor Thomas May 16th

Monday Night, the Phillies opened up a West Coast series with the San Francisco Giants in what is the team’s first game since having the full attention of the city turned on them in the post-Sixers wake. If you’re just tuning in on the Phils for the summer, what you saw in Game 1 against the Giants is not a one-off. Starting pitching has been the Achilles heel for Rob Thomson’s team this season, and the inconsistencies in the rotation need to be corrected quickly if the Phillies are going to spend some time this season over .500. The good news is that it seems like most of the rotation is starting to settle in. Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Taijuan Walker have strung together some solid starts, and Ranger Suarez has returned from injury to help the cause. Bailey Falter, though, has been brutally bad so far this season, and it’s time for the Phillies to find a different solution for the final rotation spot.

Falter is currently the 5th starter on the Major League roster, but he has struggled significantly this year. After taking the loss on Monday Night in San Fran, his record stands at 0-7 this season with a 5.13 ERA. That is what we in the business call “Not good”. On Monday, Rob Thomson tried a different strategy for Falter, who has struggled in 1st innings this year. The Phillies used Connor Brogdon as an opener, and then planned to bring Falter in to start the 2nd inning. Unfortunately, Brogdon loaded up the bases while only recording 2 outs, forcing Falter to enter the game in the 1st inning in a high-pressure situation. Luckily Falter worked out of the jam, but the 2nd inning saw 6 runs allowed due to bad pitching and worse defense. Falter has looked non-competitive at points this year, and that’s being kind. With the aspirations that the Phillies have, they can’t have non-competitive arms in their rotation.

So, what’s the solution? It’s easy to say: “Move Falter out of the rotation”, but that spot needs to be filled by somebody else. Right now, it doesn’t look like the Phillies have a great option. If you’re thinking about trading for a starting pitcher in mid-May, you’re going to get price gouged by any GM with two brain cells. It would most likely have to be an in-house option, and those are few and far between. Andrew Painter is still rehabbing from a UCL strain, and hasn’t even started throwing off a mound yet. He might be an option later on in June or July, but certainly not right now. Cristopher Sanchez, who has made spot starts for the Phillies in the past, is equally unusable right now:

Those numbers do not constitute a promotion to the Major League rotation. There seems to be one current solution that makes any sense whatsoever, and that would be to move Falter to the bullpen in favor of Matt Strahm. Strahm isn’t a long-term solution, but in his time in the rotation covering for Ranger Suarez, he was at least better than what Falter is putting together right now. The Phillies are still in fine shape as a team right now, and they haven’t remotely touched their ceiling yet, but certain deficiencies are unacceptable for championship contending teams. Bailey Falter has been one of those deficiencies this season, and it’s time to make some kind of change, even if there’s not a perfect solution.

More:

Ranking The Phillies' Starting Lineup's Walk-Up Songs

Here’s a definitive, opinion-based list ranking the Phillies‘ walk-up songs. Thanks to this list on MLB.com, we can take a look at all the songs the Phillies have selected.

The individual walk-up song has forever changed the ballpark experience for players and fans alike. The walk-up song not only serves as a way to get a crowd and players hype, but it also provides fans with some insight into the music taste of their favorite players.

These players pick whatever will get them excited to play. Whether it’s a slow jam, a funny song, or something that’s super epic, they pick what works for them.

This list in no way judges the Phillies players according to their stats or how great they are at the plate. It’s ranked based on how good the song is at hyping up the crowd and getting a player motivated to do their best. Of course, all music ranking is subjective, but in this case, there may be a definitive best and worst song.

Some of these Phillies have really iconic walk-up songs. So iconic, in fact, that the entire stadium will begin to loudly sing along as soon as the song starts to play, shouting out the name of the player that’s stepping up.

So here’s the list, ranking the Phillies’ walk-up songs:

  • 11. Edmundo Sosa

    Desahogo by Akim

    This one just doesn’t really stand out. It’s a pretty chill song that wouldn’t hype anyone up. But hey, maybe it’s chill-ness clams him down and makes it work for him.

  • 10. Josh Harrison

    Before I Let Go by Frankie Beverly & Maze
    Preach by Young Dolph
    Victory Lap by Nipsey Hussle
    Intro by Meek Mill

    All of these are pretty non-memorable. Sorry, Josh. The best of the lineup was “Before I Let Go,” but none of these were exactly “hype.”

  • 9. Aaron Nola

    I Am Second by Newsboys

    The message of this one isn’t bad. “I am second to none,” is s great attitude to bring up to the plate. It’s just not one the crowd would really sing along to.

  • 8. Nick Castellanos

    Hunger on Hillside by J. Cole

    This one seems like you gotta be in the right mood to get pumped up by it. It’s not a bad song by any means. It’s just not a quintessential walk-up song.

  • 7. Alec Bohm

    Famous by Kanye West
    Nothing but a G Thang by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog

    “Famous” is a snoozer, in my opinion. “Nothing But A G Thang” saves the day, though. If Bohm were to kick “Famous” to the curb and only walk up to “Nothing But A G Thang,” he would be higher on this list.

  • 6. Trea Turner

    Look Ahead by Future
    The Scotts by Travis Scott

    This is sort of the same situation we face with Bohm, except “Look Ahead” is just STELLAR. “The Scotts” is okay…but not very fitting. “Look Ahead” is really good for a baseball walk-up song. It’s solidly hype.

  • 5. Bryce Harper

    Flower by Moby
    Paradise by Bazzi
    Young Once by Sam Hunt
    Ride Wit Me by Nelly, City Spud

    Bryce, man. He’s got a lot. In my opinion, he can get rid of “Paradise,” because it’s too wimpy. “Flower” is iconic. You’ll know it when you hear it and immediately think of Bryce.

  • 4. Brandon Marsh

    444+222 by lil uzi vert

    Props to Marsh for including a Philly-born artist. This song is very good to get a crowd excited. You’ll likely recognize it when you hear it, and that’s probably because of Brandon Marsh.

  • 3. JT Realmuto

    Money & Fame by NEEDTOBREATHE

    The beginning of this song is like the soundtrack to a movie. How can you walk up to bat while this is playing and NOT feel like a badass?

  • 2. Bryson Stott

    AOK by Tai Verdes

    This is likely one of the most legendary Phillies walk-up songs. As soon as this song starts playing, the whole crowd at the ballpark begins to sing along, knowing Stott is about to be up. It’s a great party song that has easy lyrics to learn.

  • 1. Kyle Schwarber

    Thuggish Ruggish Bone by Bone Thugs N Harmony
    Fantastic Voyage by Lakeside
    Cult of Personality by Living Colour

    Maybe it’s his tendency to hit Schwarbombs that grabs our attention as he steps up to bat. Maybe it’s his FIRE walk-up songs. All three of these tunes perfectly encapsulate the fire he’s about to bring to the field. He’s a dynamic player with some really dynamic walk-up songs.

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