Starter Spotlight: Beat Back Jack

8-9-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X

Hitting the road out west as the Pirates visit the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers – and the first pitcher they will see this weekend is old rival, Jack Flaherty.

Flaherty has plenty of experience facing the Buccos with 16 career appearances, compiling 90 strikeouts to 28 walks with a 2.52 ERA over 89.1 innings against Pittsburgh.

Despite an inconsistent few years in St. Louis – followed by a poor half-season in Baltimore last year – Flaherty has recaptured that early-career luster with a breakout 2024 campaign.

Over the past few months, Flaherty has been one of the best pitchers in MLB. Since April 30, he has pitched 83.1 innings and posted a 2.05 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and K/BB% of 27.8% – all of which are top 3 in MLB over that span.

Arguably the biggest trade deadline acquisition for the Dodgers this year, Flaherty went 6 shutout frames in his first game in blue against Oakland with 5 hits, 1 walk and 7 strikeouts.

Looking at his pitch arsenal, Flaherty typically throws low-90s 4-seam fastball, mid-80s slider and high-70s curve – utilizing his fastball up and the breaking stuff down and under the zone.

Across the board, he has improved the results of his pitches from last year as he dropped the opponents batting average against on his curve (.204 to .183), fastball (.290 to .217) and slider (.339 to .195) while eliminating his ineffective cutter (.318 oBA).

The curve has been his main strikeout pitch (45.1% put-away rate) but he racks of Ks on each of the main three options. Pirates hitters will find their best chance is staying upright and holding on the heater. Anything breaking is likely going to drop down under the barrel, leading to a whiff, ground out or, at best, a foul ball. Stay within your zone as both his chase and whiff rates are among the best in baseball for starting pitchers.

Team will need to tighten up to rebound from the rough home-stand but they have risen to the occasion before and, hopefully, will do it again.

Let’s Go Bucs!