Falter (2-1) earned the win Tuesday against the Brewers, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out eight over seven innings.
Falter was dominant Tuesday, matching a career high with eight strikeouts while holding the Brewers scoreless through seven innings. He'd allow a home run to Gary Sanchez to lead off the eighth, but the Pirates would hang on for the 2-1 victory. After allowing six runs in his first start this year, Falter's now held opponents to two runs or fewer in each of his subsequent four outings. The left-hander lowered his ERA to 3.33 with a 0.89 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB across 27 innings this season. Falter's tentatively slated to face the Giants on the road Sunday in his next start.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Bailey Falter: Outdueled in Wednesday's loss
Rotowire
Falter (1-1) took the loss Wednesday, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over five innings as the Pirates fell 9-1 to the Mets. He struck out four.
The 26-year-old southpaw served up a two-run homer to Starling Marte in the third inning, but he otherwise shut New York down over 73 pitches (47 strikes). Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, Luis Severino was a little bit better for the home squad. Falter has been tagged for only three runs over his last three starts and 16 innings, lowering his ERA to 4.05, but his 10:5 K:BB through 20 frames on the year highlights his limited fantasy ceiling. He lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Brewers.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Bailey Falter: Earns first win
Rotowire
Falter (1-0) picked up the win in Friday's 5-2 victory over the Phillies, allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out three batters across five innings.
Falter rarely faltered against his former club, as his lone blemish came on an RBI single off the bat of Bryson Stott during the fifth inning. However, the 26-year-old southpaw still owns a 4.20 ERA on the year and has struck out just six batters through 15 frames, putting a relatively low ceiling on his fantasy value. He's lined up to make his next start on the road Wednesday against the Mets.
Pirates' Bailey Falter: Holds O's to one hit over six
Rotowire
Falter allowed one hit and one walk while striking out one batter over six scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Orioles on Saturday.
Falter actually took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, so it was a major improvement on his first outing of the season in which he allowed five runs before recording an out. The lefty only has three strikeouts in 10 innings so far this season and will likely remain a volatile option given the lack of whiffs. He will look to extract a bit of revenge against his old team in Philadelphia next week.
Pirates' Bailey Falter: Allows six runs over four innings
Rotowire
Falter did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing six runs on five hits and three walks over four innings against the Marlins. He struck out two.
Falter allowed five runs in the first inning, capped by a grand slam by Jazz Chisholm, but settled down thereafter in allowing just one more run through four innings and giving the Pirates an opportunity for the comeback win. Falter earned the starting role out of spring training, but with the likes of Luis Ortiz and Roansy Contreras nipping at his heels on the big-league roster, along with Quinn Priester and Paul Skenes at Triple-A, Falter will need far better outings than what he produced Sunday to remain in the rotation. His next start won't get any easier, as he's tentatively slated for a home matchup against the Orioles next weekend.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Bailey Falter: Confirmed for rotation
Rotowire
Manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Falter will be included in the Pirates' Opening Day rotation, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Earlier Monday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com confirmed that Falter had made the roster, but it wasn't immediately clear whether the southpaw would begin the season in the rotation or work in long relief. Shelton brought clarity on that front when he spoke to the media, with Falter's inclusion in the rotation seemingly indicating that Luis Ortiz has missed out on the No. 5 starter's role and will be ticketed for the bullpen or for Triple-A Indianapolis. Additionally, Shelton mapped out the rotation through the Pirates' first five games, noting that Falter is set to make his first turn in Sunday's series finale in Miami. Over 18 appearances (14 starts) between the Phillies and Pirates in 2023, Falter went 2-9 with a 5.36 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 60:20 K:BB over 80.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Bailey Falter: Wins roster spot
Rotowire
Falter was informed Monday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Stumpf relays that prospect Jared Jones will be included in the Opening Day rotation, but it's not yet clear whether Falter, Luis Ortiz or someone else will fill the fifth and final starting spot. Falter doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so if he misses out on a rotation spot, he would most head to the bullpen since he would have to be moved off the 40-man roster in order to be eligible to pitch in the minors.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Bailey Falter: May lose out on rotation spot
Rotowire
Falter is in competition for the final spot in the Pirates' rotation to begin the season, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Falter is among several candidates vying for the role. He's allowed 12 baserunners across six innings of work in Grapefruit League action, though his 6:1 K:BB suggests perhaps he's gotten unlucky. The Pirates would likely prefer that Luis Ortiz or Jared Jones force their way into the rotation, and both have had impressive spring performances to this point. That could push Falter into a long relief role, as he has no minor-league options remaining.
Pirates' Bailey Falter: Pounded for eight runs Saturday
Rotowire
Falter allowed eight runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out one batter over two innings in a no-decision against Cincinnati on Saturday.
Falter logged just one inning as an opener in his previous outing, but it's unclear if he was slated to return to more of a traditional starting role Saturday. The lefty hurler didn't earn a chance to go very deep as he was pummeled for eight runs in just two frames. The Reds knocked three homers against Falter, including two in the first inning. Perhaps the only positive part of the pitcher's outing was that Pittsburgh was able to overcome a 9-0 deficit to pick up a victory and protect him from taking the loss. Despite the short outing, Falter tossed 57 pitches, so he presumably will have just one more chance to take the mound before the end of the campaign.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Bailey Falter: Moves to injured list
Rotowire
Falter was placed on the 15-day injured list with neck soreness and overall fatigue Sunday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The left-hander was tagged for eight earned runs over two innings Saturday in Cincinnati, and his season will end a week early due to the injuries. Falter struggled as a rotation piece for both the Phillies and Pirates this year, and he closes the campaign with a 5.36 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 60:20 K:BB across 80.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Bailey Falter: Takes loss as opener
Rotowire
Falter (2-9) took the loss in Tuesday's 14-1 rout at the hands of the Cubs, giving up two runs on a hit and two walks in just one inning. He struck out one.
The 26-year-old southpaw started the game but got a quick hook after only 24 pitches (15 strikes), with rookie righty Quinn Priester replacing him on the mound to begin the second inning. Falter had delivered a quality start against the Nationals in his last outing, but there's been no indication from the Bucs that his early exit Tuesday was due to any kind of injury, suggesting the move was made for strategic reasons. If Falter and Priester continue to be deployed as a tandem in some fashion, the duo would line up for two more appearances before the end of the regular season, but the lefty has been the far more effective pitcher lately, posting a 2.51 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB through 14.1 innings in September.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Bailey Falter: Getting another start
Rotowire
Falter is starting Tuesday's game against the Cubs in Chicago.
Falter tossed six innings of one-run ball on 67 pitches the last time he drew a traditional start Sept. 12 versus the Nationals. The 26-year-old left-hander carries an overall 3.62 ERA and 30:9 K:BB through 37.1 innings of work with the Pirates, who acquired him from the Phillies at the Aug. 1 trade deadline in exchange for Rodolfo Castro.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Bailey Falter: Earns quality start, win
Rotowire
Falter (2-8) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk over six innings in a 5-1 victory over the Nationals. He struck out four.
Falter retired the first 11 Nationals in order before surrendering his lone earned run on an RBI single in the fourth inning. He earned his third quality start and second win of the campaign. The versatile southpaw has allowed just six hits and two earned runs while accumulating a 9:2 K:BB across his last 13.1 innings, spanning two bulk relief appearances and Tuesday's traditional start. It remains to be seen how Falter will be deployed in his next appearance, but he currently lines up to pitch in Pittsburgh's next series against the Yankees this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Bailey Falter: Starting for Pirates on Tuesday
Rotowire
Falter will start for the Pirates on Tuesday against the Nationals, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Pittsburgh has used Falter as a bulk reliever three times and a traditional starter four times in his seven appearances since coming over from the Phillies via trade. The southpaw will be deployed in the latter role Tuesday, as manager Derek Shelton has opted against using an opener. Falter's last traditional start came on Aug. 27, when he was torched for six runs over 4.2 innings in a loss to the Cubs.
Pirates' Bailey Falter: Works in bulk relief Wednesday
Rotowire
Falter struck out three over 3.2 scoreless frames out of the bullpen Wednesday but didn't factor into the decision in the Pirates' 5-4 win over the Brewers. He gave up one hit and no walks in the 44-pitch outing.
For his second appearance in a row, the 26-year-old southpaw worked behind an opening pitcher, as Colin Selby got the starting nod Wednesday and covered one inning before turning the game over to Falter. Between his last two outings, he has struck out five batters while allowing just one earned run on two hits and one walk across 7.1 innings, so the Pirates could be incentivized to continue deploying him as a bulk reliever rather than a traditional starter.
