The 2024 National League Division Series between the Los Angles Dodgers and San Diego Padres is in full swing, and next on the mound is Burbank, Calif., native Jack Flaherty.
Although the Dodgers started the NLDS with a win, they’ll look to get some length out of Flaherty as they eye a commanding series lead.
Flaherty is back in the postseason after last year’s brief appearance with the Baltimore Orioles, who were bounced in the ALDS by the eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers. He made one appearance for the Orioles out of the bullpen and completed two innings while allowing one run.
Flaherty, who was supposed to be on the mound for the Dodgers in the series opener, instead gets the start in Game 2 after the team reversed course on Thursday.
Although he had to wait an extra day, the right-hander couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to pitch in this type of atmosphere for a team that he grew up watching. Flaherty is set to fully embrace the emotion that comes with it.
“A lot. I’ve had some conversations over the last couple days with some family and people close to me, just kind of putting it all into perspective and how kind of surreal and just crazy of an opportunity it is,” Flaherty said. “Being from here, growing up here, coming to games here. But it’s different being able to be a part of it and be on this side of things.”
“I’ve been here for a playoff game with St. Louis, but it will be on this side. And to be a part over it here is different. It’s just a lot of fun at the end of the day. I was looking back, like little young me, if I was to tell myself this, what would like 8-year-old me say? It would be pretty cool. So I’m just trying to enjoy it.”
Although Flaherty is still new to the Dodgers this season, he does have a history of putting on a show under the bright lights of Dodger Stadium going all the way back to his junior year at Harvard Westlake High School.
Despite the sizable challenge laid before him, Flaherty is ready to be on the attack out there on the mound and has a very insightful way of putting it all in perspective.
“It’s not nerves,” Flaherty said. “You get excited for these opportunities and the chance to play here. You look at in high school, I was really close with that group and those guys are family.
“I haven’t been here too long, but these guys have taken me in and allowed me to come in and feel real comfortable here, which has been awesome. Anytime you get to be a part of something like this and play for this city, it’s special. It’s a lot of excitement.”
“Just wanting to get out there and play and try and enjoy it, but also go out and compete. These are fun. Postseason games, it’s going to be intense.
“There’s going to be a lot going on. A lot of excitement with the crowd and the energy that they bring. You just feed off of it, feed off of every single ounce of it. Same way in high school. Same thing. Just a couple more people out there.”
This mindset certainly helped him rise to the challenge all those years ago as he pulled off a feat eerily similar to Clayton Kershaw’s performance on Opening Day that very same year. Flaherty singlehandedly secured the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship for Harvard Westlake, pitching a complete game shutout while also driving in the game’s only run.
The Dodgers are hoping for a similar type of performance from him, although without any chances to step up to the plate.
Jack Flaherty focused on mechanics, not velocity
Flaherty has dealt with a drop in velocity due to his mechanics, and the Dodgers have been working with him to make the adjustments.
“I think the last couple of starts we were working on a couple of things and trying to do a couple of things different,” Flaherty said. “We’re going to be able to use my strengths as we go forward. The velocity is going to be whatever it is. I don’t know.
“It just comes down to executing. But we just put in the work over the week and try to figure some things out. And just try to be more consistent more than anything. Got to locate the ball and spin the ball the way I want to.”
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