The Los Angeles Dodgers will start Jack Flaherty in Game One of the National League Division Series. according to general manager Brandon Gomes, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the hill in Game Two.
More updates from Brandon Gomes:
– Freddie Freeman will face live pitching this week as he continues to rehab his sprained ankle.
– Clayton Kershaw isn’t any closer to facing hitters.
– Haven’t decided if they’ll go 13 hitters/13 pitchers.
– Flaherty Game 1, Yamamoto Game 2.— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) October 2, 2024
Dodgers Name Jack Flaherty Game One Starter in NLDS
Injury Bug
It is safe to say that Los Angeles, accustomed to making it into October, did not envision such a bumpy ride to get here. Flaherty, who came to the Dodgers in a trade deadline deal from the Detroit Tigers, has been a solid dependable option for a rotation in constant flux due to injuries. Tyler Glasnow, once considered the number one post-season option for the Dodgers, is out for the season, as are starters Gavin Stone and young hurler River Ryan.
A Postseason History For the Birds
The right-hander Flaherty is no stranger to the postseason. He has made starts for both the St. Louis Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles and features a respectable ERA of 3.60.
Since coming to the Dodgers in July, Flaherty has made 10 starts with a 3.58 ERA. In addition, he has gone at least five innings in every outing but one and has 61 strikeouts to his credit. The righty has given up a few more walks and home runs since the trade, but the Dodgers are hoping that if he can keep them in the game, their vaunted lineup will be able to score runs.
Other Postseason Rotation Implications
If Flaherty and Yamamoto are the one-two punch for the Dodgers, Flaherty could also start a Game Five, with Walker Buehler and Landon Knack pitching Games Three and Four. This also preserves Yamamoto’s routine of one start per week and possibly spares him some wear and tear on his shoulder.
Kershaw Out
Gomes also said that Clayton Kershaw has yet to throw to hitters as he continues to recover from a bone spur in his big left toe. This makes a postseason return for the future Hall-of-Famer unlikely.
The Dodgers have patched a team together and made it to October. How far they go from here, only time will tell.
Photo Credit: © Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
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