Jack Flaherty throws seven scoreless innings in NLCS Game 1
LOS ANGELES — This was just what the Dodgers’ front office had in mind while parting with a pair of prospects to land the best starting pitcher who moved at the Trade Deadline. It was just what manager Dave Roberts had in mind when he handed the ball to that pitcher for Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, knowing what a quality start could mean for the rest of the series — especially with a bullpen game on tap for Game 2.
And it was just what Jack Flaherty, the 28-year-old right-hander who grew up in neighboring Burbank and once pitched his Harvard-Westlake High School team to a sectional title on this very mound, had in mind during all those boyhood nights at Dodger Stadium. With those same stands filled with 53,503 fans, including his family and even some former Sherman Oaks Little League teammates, Flaherty delivered seven scoreless innings in the Dodgers’ third consecutive shutout this postseason, a 9-0 win over the Mets on the sort of night every Little Leaguer dreams of.
“I saw some family out there when I was warming up, and I had gone to games here with them before,” Flaherty said. “It just kind of lets you relax a little bit. At least that was the way it was for me tonight.”
It looked that way. Flaherty announced to the Mets what they had on their hands by dealing a 1-2-3 first inning capped by a 95.1 mph fastball, his firmest pitch of the night. It was nine up, nine down before Francisco Lindor walked to become the Mets’ first baserunner in fourth inning. It was two-hit masterpiece by time Roberts wrapped Flaherty bear hug as he descended dugout steps during seventh-inning stretch.
The Dodgers had six-run lead by then and needed only an inning apiece from Daniel Hudson and Ben Casparius finish night. That denied Mets hitters their looks at any L.A.’s other high-leverage arms positioned Dodgers’ pitching staff riding scoreless streak bullpen day come.
“We came out lot guys rested raring go,” Roberts said “I felt good about that Jack being able do opens things.”
Roberts added: “It pitching clinic.”
That start praise.
“Flaherty’s been really good really long time I’m not surprised all” said Lindor.
“They didn’t look comfortable whole day” said Tommy Edman Cardinals “That definitely up there far how good seen him look.”
“He’s got aura about him” said Will Smith catcher “He’s got intensity about him He’s great year obviously great years past fortunate he’s pitching us postseason giving us shutties.”
“I mean he’s been pitching Dodger Stadium since he high school nothing new him” Freddie Freeman one two Dodgers score first-inning Max Muncy single gave Flaherty lead “He’s nice demeanor about Doesn’t seem big With mom stands think wanted go there great.”
Dodgers did homework on Flaherty’s demeanor sending catcher/first baseman Thayron Liranzo shortstop Trey Sweeney Los Angeles No prospect MLB Pipeline Tigers for Flaherty Trade Deadline July.
There were reportedly concurrent talks White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet Tigers Tarik Skubal neither pitchers moved.Flattery signed one-year free-agent contract Detroit make-good tough split between Cardinals Orioles done part ERA starts Detroit.With went starts down stretch regular season.