The current situation with Jack Flaherty is the mother of coincidence. The 29-year-old pitcher won the World Series with the Dodgers last year. The Dodgers’ 2024 World Series surely calls for a ring distribution celebration, but Flaherty is preparing to make his Tigers debut against his old team. Yes, the Tigers faced the Dodgers on the opening day. Receiving the ring from the previous club just when Flaherty turned up in a jersey with Tigers written on it. So, did he receive the ring before facing the Dodgers? 

Well, Jack Flaherty truly deserves the World Series ring, considering he was one of the biggest contributors for the Dodgers last year. Flaherty started last year with the Tigers before getting traded to the Dodgers. However, he ultimately ended up with the Tigers for 2 years worth $35 million. Jack Flaherty had a 13-7 record, a 3.17 ERA, and 194 strikeouts in 28 outings in the 2024 season.

Flaherty’s postseason heroics in game 1 against the Yankees contributed to the Dodgers’ World Series victory. He was selected to start the 2024 World Series opener against the Yankees. He allowed a two-run home run in the sixth inning after shutting out the Yankees for five innings. In 5+1⁄3 innings, he struck out six batters and gave up just two runs on five hits. So, fans were expecting him to join the team celebration. 

“Jack Flaherty will get his ring tomorrow. During the ceremony just now, he was in the outfield warming up to start tonight’s game for the Tigers,” MLB insider Jack Harris said. The same stadium, the same team and celebration, just that Flaherty is in the Tigers’ clubhouse. Reportedly, he will receive the ring by tomorrow, but the fans’ expectation to see the full-strength Dodgers of 2024 class has not materialized. 

Remember Bengie Molina? The catcher was with the San Francisco Giants till 2010 when he joined the Rangers. However, the Giants won the World Series that year and Molina received the ring as a Rangers player. He was the last known case before Flaherty achieved the feat yesterday. Well, Flaherty is all done with the Dodgers, and the Tigers’ fans are betting on him for a 2024-like postseason performance from him. 

The Tigers’ quest to witness Flaherty’s magic

The Tigers last won the AL Central in 2014, and the dry run has continued since then. Will they be able to turn the tides this year? Well, playoff team spots expanded to 12 since 2022, and it just increased the chance of the Tigers. But they are heavily bitten by the injury bug this year. Their premium players including Parker Meadows, Matt Vierling, and Wenceel Perez picked up injuries in the spring and are not available for the first half of the season. Hence, a makeshift outfield was seen during yesterday’s opening game against the Dodgers. While the outfield hasn’t offered any confidence to the fans, it might get clicked in the long run.

Few names can take the Tigers beyond the 86 wins this year. The 2024 AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is looking good to take the charge. His opening game, though, reflects otherwise. He allowed four runs while striking out just two. Re-signing Jack Flaherty could be a game-changer for the Tigers this year. Yesterday, he got 5 strikeouts. Moreover, Casey Mize and Jackson Jobe will be the names to look out for this year. Will that be enough for the Tigers to get to the playoffs? Time will tell. 

The White Sox started the season with a bang and the Royals are led by Bobby Witt Jr. and Seth Lugo. So, it will be an uphill task for the Tigers to win the division. However, baseball is all about surprises. 

Do you think Flaherty can make any change to the Tigers? Share your views with us below.