Preview: Zack Wheeler takes the mound, Phillies option Bailey Falter ahead of tonight's 9:45 matchup with the Giants

The Philadelphia Phillies take the field tonight at Oracle Park at 9:45 in game two of a three-game set.

Starting Pitchers

Zack Wheeler (3-2, 3.80 ERA)
Alex Cobb (3-1, 1.70 ERA)

Monday night’s game was pretty brutal for the Fightins, as Bailey Falter blew up in the second inning and allowed six runs on six hits, pushing him to his seventh straight loss. The Phillies are now 1-7 in games Falter has started this year, but that won’t be the case much longer.

Bailey Falter Optioned to Triple-A

Prior to tonight’s game against the San Francisco Giants, the Phillies optioned LHP Bailey Falter to Lehigh Valley (AAA). To fill his spot on the 26-man roster, RHP Erich Uelmen was recalled from Lehigh Valley.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 16, 2023

Erich Uelmen was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Falter’s place on the 26-man roster. Uelmen has logged a 1.04 ERA in seven appearances out of the bullpen for the Iron Pigs, allowing just four hits and one earned run in 8.2 innings while striking out five.

The Phillies have not yet said how they will fill the fifth starter hole, but the most logical guess is a few bullpen games with Strahm at the lead until they figure it out.

Last night’s loss pushed the Phillies back to one game under .500 at 20-21, and tonight’s matchup won’t be any easier, as Alex Cobb has been fantastic for San Fran this season. Luckily for the Phils, they have one of their two aces on the mound in Zack Wheeler, who has started to find his footing over the last few starts.

Phillies Starting Lineup

🛞s on the bump tonight #RingTheBell

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— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 16, 2023

Zack Wheeler vs. Alex Cobb

Zack Wheeler takes the mound coming off one of his best starts of the season, going seven strong allowing just three hits and one earned run to the Toronto Blue Jays in a 2-1 win.

Wheeler has logged a 3-2 record on the year with a 3.80 ERA and 53 strikeouts but hasn’t panned out well on the road, holding. a 4.70 ERA compared to a 3.34 at home.

Alex Cobb has been the Giants’ best starter this season with a 3-1 record and a 1.70 ERA. He holds a 1.35 at home and is coming off a seven-and-a-third-inning shoutout outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Cobb has not allowed an earned run since April 30th.