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Jack Flaherty of the Tigers expects more of himself when playing the Cardinals……………………..
For most of his career, Jack Flaherty was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. When the Detroit Tigers right-hander starts the first game of a straight doubleheader on Tuesday, he will play his former team for the first time.
The three-game series was originally scheduled to start on Monday night, but bad weather forced a postponement.
Throughout his first six and a half seasons with the Cardinals, Flaherty made 122 appearances, including 118 starts. Before being sent to Baltimore at the previous season’s trade deadline, he amassed a 41-31 record and a 3.58 ERA in that time.
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.
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 have to maintain my composure, attention, and clarity. 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.