I will not play for St. Louis again Nolan Gormanl depart and issue Cardinals…..
Jack Flaherty played for the St. Louis Cardinals for the most of his career. The right-hander for the Detroit Tigers will face his old team for the first time on Tuesday when he takes the mound in the first game of a straightheader.
The first pitch of the three-game series was supposed to begin on Monday night, but inclement weather caused a postponement.
After signing with the Cardinals for six and a half seasons, Flaherty appeared in 122 games, 118 of which were starts. He had a 41-31 record and a 3.58 ERA before being traded to Baltimore before the previous season’s trade deadline.
In the offseason, Flaherty agreed to a one-year, $14 million contract with Detroit, giving its rotation more depth. Despite wearing a Tigers uniform, he has made five starts but has not yet won.
In his four starts, Flaherty (0-1, 4.91) went at least six innings. In his most recent start on Wednesday against Tampa Bay, he allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings.
Though Flaherty had the lead going into the sixth inning, reliever Will Vest gave up three runs in the bottom of the inning.
“I need to perform better,” Flaherty declared. That is the result of pitching only five innings. Vest has been outstanding this year and has kept up his good ball throwing. I must delve farther. Taking five just does not complete the task. So that it’s not like, “Oh, you threw well in the fifth,” I need to improve earlier. In the sixth and seventh, I had to be outside.”
Another seasoned right-hander facing Flaherty is Kyle Gibson (2-2, 4.35), who has completed at least six innings in each of his five starts this season.
In his past two games, Gibson has shown excellent form. On April 19, he limited Milwaukee to one run in six innings, and the following Wednesday, he did the same against Arizona.
After the first three Diamondbacks batters reached base, Gibson calmed down. That was the only run Arizona scored off him.
“I’m not going to say never, but I rarely ever pitch well angry,” he stated. “I need to take a step back and realize that when I pitch in anger, I tend to overthrow and overcook pitches, which is bad for my health. I must be composed and stay
clear-headed and concentrated. I personally need to read takes, swings, and my (scouting) report. I have no chance if I’m thinking about something else.”
Having spent the majority of his pitching career with American League Central clubs, Gibson has a good understanding of the Tigers. In his 27 games (26 starts) against them, he has an 11-11 record and a 5.66 ERA.
Although they haven’t designated a starter for Game 2, the Tigers will probably bring up Triple-A Toledo right-hander Matt Manning (0-1, 2.92). Manning was summoned twice this season to start doubleheaders, and he won his sole career start versus St. Louis.
In his final major league game on April 13, Manning lost 4-1 to Minnesota after giving up four runs in 6 2/3 innings.
In the second game, St. Louis will start left-hander Steven Matz (1-2, 5.55). In his past two games, Matz has been roughed up.
On April 17, he allowed five runs in five innings against Oakland, then on Tuesday, he gave up seven runs in four and a third innings against Arizona.
In three career starts versus the Tigers, Matz has a 1.56 ERA but no decisions.
