Jack Flaherty will seek to maintain his momentum as he takes the mound for the Detroit Tigers against the Kansas City Royals in the final game of a three-game series on March 15, 2024. Flaherty’s previous outing alleviated any doubts regarding his effectiveness. He delivered a remarkable performance against the Houston Astros, pitching seven scoreless innings and allowing only three hits while striking out nine batters and walking one.
In his earlier two starts, Flaherty struggled, giving up a combined total of 10 earned runs in just nine innings. However, he bounced back impressively, escaping a bases-loaded situation in the first inning against Houston. “Just continue to execute pitches,” Flaherty stated. “It’s the same thing I’ve been preaching on good and bad days. The more you execute, the more things are going to happen.”
Flaherty, 29, has become a vital asset for the Tigers after being acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers at last year’s trade deadline. He was re-signed as a free agent during the offseason. This season, Flaherty has recorded ten quality starts, holding a record of 7-12 and an ERA of 4.51. Despite the solid outings, consistency has eluded him. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch emphasized Flaherty’s dedication, noting, “He’s a perfectionist by nature and he expects a lot out of himself.”
Flaherty’s Success Against the Royals
Flaherty will face a familiar opponent in the Royals, against whom he has historically excelled. He boasts a 4-0 record with a remarkable 0.72 ERA over 25 innings pitched in four career starts against Kansas City. His performance will be critical as the Tigers aim to extend their winning streak to six games and solidify their lead in the American League Central Division, currently sitting 11.5 games ahead of the second-place Royals.
On the opposite side, veteran right-hander Seth Lugo will take the mound for Kansas City. Lugo, with a record of 8-6 and an ERA of 3.73, is also looking to build off a strong performance after allowing 13 earned runs in his previous two starts. In his last outing, he limited the Texas Rangers to two runs on three hits over 6.1 innings while striking out five.
“It’s part of the game,” Lugo said, reflecting on his earlier struggles. “You play long enough that you go through stretches like that. Learn from the past. You try not to overthink it.”
Lugo, 35, has made slight adjustments to his pitching style, emphasizing a smoother delivery. “It’s just a little feeling being slower down the mound. I was working a little too quickly and I was able to correct that,” he explained. He holds a 3-2 record with a 3.53 ERA against the Tigers across six career starts.
Series Context and Player Highlights
The Tigers have emerged victorious in the first two games of the series, which has contributed to their current five-game winning streak. This success has significant implications as they strive for dominance within their division. The Royals, on the other hand, saw their first baseman, Vinnie Pasquantino, have his franchise-tying record of five consecutive games with a home run come to an end during Saturday’s 4-2 loss.
As the series culminates, both teams are poised for a critical matchup. Flaherty’s performance will be pivotal for the Tigers, while Lugo aims to turn his recent success into a winning streak for the Royals. The outcome will not only impact the standings but also the momentum each team carries moving forward in the season.
