The Detroit Tigers lost to the Boston Red Sox 8-6 on Patriot Day. Starting pitcher Jack Flaherty pitched for 3.1 innings allowing 2 runs, 3 hits, and 6 walks. He only had three strikeouts. The bullpen failed to support Flaherty’s short outing as they allowed six runs of their own in the final 4.2 innings of the game.
Flaherty currently pitches with a 3.47 earned run average to begin the season. However, his walk rate currently sits at the highest rate of his career: 7.71 walks per nine innings. Compared to last year, he pitched with a 3.3 walks per nine innings. His current walks and hits per innings pitched is 1.59. With a fielding independent pitching of 4.59, these are very concerning signs for Flaherty, who the Tigers expect to be a consistent factor in their rotation.
The Tigers split the series with the Red Sox as they head back to Detroit to face the Milwaukee Brewers for a three game series.
AJ Hinch Backs Up Flaherty After Loss
GettyThe Red Sox beat the Tigers 8-6 on Patriot Day.
After the loss to the Red Sox, Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch spoke with the media. He offered encouraging words for Flaherty after struggling in the game.
Hinch said, “I think Jack was a little bit out of sync from the get-go. He generally can recoup within an outing and find his delivery and tempo and timing, and it just didn’t look like he could throw the ball where he wanted to. He had some uncharacteristic big misses, and they came at some tough times — some back-to-back walks that put him under a lot of stress. High pitch count. We got to a point where I could get him out and get some lefty matchups, but obviously Jack just didn’t look in sync.”
Flaherty pitched his shortest game of the season as Hinch took him out only after 73 pitches. His next start lines up against the Cincinnati Reds at the offensive friendly Great American Ball Park.
Tigers Starting Rotation a Major Strength
GettyTarik Skubal leads the Tiger’s rotation.
Despite the poor start for Flaherty, the Tigers boast one of the best starting rotations in the MLB. They currently sit as the second most valuable rotation of the season behind the Seattle Mariners in fWAR.
Leading the rotation is obviously two time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, who currently pitches with a 2.08 ERA after five starts.
Among others, free agent signing Framber Valdez enjoys a good start to his Tigers career with a 3.30 ERA after five starts. Casey Mize and Keider Montero also have been consistently good with a 2.78 ERA and 3.31 ERA respectively.
Tigers legend Justin Verlander returned to the team this season, but he struggled in his first start. The Tigers placed Verlander on the 15-day injured list with left hip inflammation earlier this month. While he was supposed to make the trip to Boston, he ended up not making the trip.
It is unclear when Verlander is going to return, but with Montero continuing to pitch well, it will be difficult to take him out of the rotation. However, since Flaherty is struggling, it would not be shocking if Verlander and him switch places on the injured list. If Flaherty’s control issues continue, that will be a situation to monitor.
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