“I've enjoyed every single second here” - Jack Flaherty praises the Tigers after possible last start for Detroit as trade deadline looms
Pitcher Jack Flaherty reflected on his time in the Motor City on Wednesday after what may well have been his last game for the Detroit Tigers. Flaherty, who could get moved before Tuesday's trade deadline, didn't allow an earned run in six scoreless innings, but Detroit lost 2-1 to its American League Central rivals, the Cleveland Guardians.
Flaherty was all praise for his fellow teammates after the game.
"The goal is to go out and win games for the team," Flaherty said. "These guys are awesome, and I've enjoyed every single second here. This is an unbelievable group of guys."
The right-hander, who only made the journey over to Detroit in last year's trade window after a poor season, shed some light on the changes in his game that have made him a fan favorite at Comerica Park.
"I'm just in a better place mentally than I was last year," Flaherty said. "I've done a better job of taking it one day at a time and keeping my focus on trying to win games."
Having joined the Tigers for a deal worth $14 million, Flaherty (7-5) boasts a 2.95 ERA in 106.2 innings, striking out 133 batters in the process, and many of the league's best certainly like what they see.
Flaherty may have gone out in style
Progressive Field has not been an easy place for opposing pitchers to go this season, and Jack Flaherty's latest outing wasn't any different, being made to fight tooth and nail through every inning by the stubborn Guardians batters, accumulating 96 pitches in six innings.
The Tigers' man on the mound was more than up for the challenge, though, allowing only 2 runners into scoring position and racking up six strikeouts before leaving the game with the score tied at 1-1.
Center fielder Matt Vierling appreciated Flaherty's performance:
"For Jack to keep pounding the zone and make pitch after pitch like that, was impressive. He kept us in the game, for sure"
Where does Flaherty's future lie?
For Detroit, if it keeps Jack Flaherty past the deadline, it will reserve the right of a high draft pick in 2025. In the much more likely event that Flaherty moves on, the Tigers could add proven talent or a promising prospect. There doesn't seem to be a short end of the stick for the Tigers, whatever transpires in the next few days.
With Flaherty enjoying a solid season, numerous teams with strong playoff aspirations, like the Padres, Phillies and Orioles, will be battling it out to add some invaluable pitching depth.