Jack Flaherty appeared to be the St. Louis Cardinals’ potential ace in 2019. Flaherty pitched a career-high 196.1 innings and ended the season with a 2.75 ERA in a workhorse way. Unfortunately, from there, things would only get worse.
His career would be swiftly derailed by injuries, and his high hopes would be swiftly undermined by ensuing difficulties. It wasn’t until 2024 that we got to witness Flaherty both healthy and on top of his game after his slide from notoriety. Flaherty pitched to a much-needed 3.17 ERA in 162 innings while playing for the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers, earning him his first World Series ring.
The Tigers chose to sign him to a two-year, $35 million contract ($25 million this year, $10 million player option for 2026) following his comeback effort. Regretfully, Flaherty has degenerated to the extent where he is currently trying to test the Tigers’ tolerance.
Tigers move Flaherty’s start back to face a more docile opponent
Flaherty’s 4.44 ERA in his second stint with Detroit is undoubtedly not what the Tigers paid for. He has the poorest record of any team starter at 2-5. This season, his primary pitch—a four-seam fastball that limited batters to a.245 batting average the previous season—has been hammered to a.308 batting average. His fastball velocity has dropped, and he has given up walks more frequently than he did last year, when he was dominant.
With a 31-17 record going into Tuesday, the Tigers are currently leading the league in baseball. Due to Flaherty’s struggles, manager AJ Hinch decided to push back his next start by one game, pitching a bullpen game on Wednesday instead of facing a dangerous Cardinals offense on Wednesday and a more manageable Guardians lineup on Thursday.
Given that a surprisingly competitive Twins team could overtake them for first place in the AL Central, the Tigers have little margin for error if they want to win the division for the first time since 2014. Furthermore, one could only speculate about Flaherty’s postseason role if his difficulties persist.
