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Jack Flaherty was the Dodgers Game 1 starter for both the NLCS and the World Series. (Photo by Harry ... [+] How/Getty Images)
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Who won last season’s trade deadline deal between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Detroit Tigers? If you will recall, the Tigers decided to (prematurely) throw in the towel on the season, and traded away a handful of players, including right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty. The Dodgers, always needing to bolster their pitching staff for a long October run, believed they could help the hometown kid regain his form and be an asset down the stretch.
The Dodgers
On its face, the answer to the above query is unquestionably the Dodgers, as Flaherty was a key part of their ultimate World Series championship team. In ten regular season starts, he went 7-3 with a 3.58 ERA, a 4.16 FIP, and a 1.28 WHIP. With injuries piling up, Flaherty became the Dodgers’ Game 1 starter for both the NLCS against the Mets and the World Series against the Yankees. He did not disappoint. Against the New York team from Queens, he threw an absolute gem, going seven innings, allowing two hits and no runs. Against the New York team from the Bronx, he went 5-1/3, allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out six. He kept the game close enough to allow for Freddie Freeman’s heroics in the bottom of the ninth inning. Flaherty’s Game 5 performances in both of those series need not be discussed* here.
*Combined, he went 4-1/3 innings, gave up 12 hits and 12 earned runs; he walked five against only one strike out and surrendered three home runs.
It is safe to say that Los Angeles does not hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy or hold a parade without Jack Flaherty.
Jack Flaherty celebrates the Dodgers World Series championship. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos ... [+] via Getty Images)
MLB Photos via Getty Images
But what about the Tigers?
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