As the World Series looms on the horizon, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves grappling with an unexpected concern: a noticeable decrease in the fastball velocity of their ace pitcher, Jack Flaherty. The right-hander, slated to start Game 1 against the New York Yankees, saw his heater average a mere 91.4 mph during his last outing in the National League Championship Series (NLCS) – a far cry from his usual mid-90s heat. The dip has raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about the state of Flaherty’s arm as the season stretches into its final, grueling days.
Flaherty Points to Timing Issue
Addressing the media ahead of his crucial World Series start, Flaherty sought to quell the rising tide of concern. The 27-year-old hurler attributed the velocity drop to a timing issue in his delivery – a mechanical flaw he’s been diligently working to correct in the days leading up to the Fall Classic.
“It’s just a matter of getting my mechanics in sync,” Flaherty explained. “I’ve been putting in the work with the coaching staff, trying to iron out the kinks. It’s nothing major, just a small timing issue that’s throwing off my velocity a bit. I’m confident we’ll get it sorted out.”
Dodgers Pitching Coach ‘Moderately Concerned’
Despite Flaherty’s reassurances, Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior admitted to being “moderately concerned” about the velocity dip. Prior emphasized that the issue isn’t injury-related but acknowledged that any decrease in a pitcher’s fastball speed is cause for some level of apprehension.
“Obviously, the more velocity, the better – usually,” Prior noted. “Jack’s somebody who’s more about execution than raw speed, but still, seeing that dip on regular rest in the NLCS was a bit concerning. We’re hopeful that with the extra rest and the work he’s putting in, he’ll be back to form for Game 1.”
Rest Days a Factor?
One potential factor in Flaherty’s velocity fluctuations could be the amount of rest he receives between starts. In the NLCS, he was dominant on six days’ rest in Game 1 but struggled on regular four days’ rest in Game 5. With the World Series schedule set, he’ll again have extended rest before his Game 1 start but will be back on short rest if a potential Game 5 is needed.
“We’re going to dig into that, as far as the stuff seeming to be down on regular rest,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But that’s the way we’ve set the rotation, and that’s just how it’s going to be. Jack’s our guy, and we have full faith in him.”
High Stakes for Flaherty, Dodgers
For Flaherty and the Dodgers, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The team is chasing its first World Series title since 2020, and Flaherty’s performance will be pivotal in setting the tone against a formidable Yankees lineup. If the ace can regain his usual velocity and maintain his pinpoint command, the Dodgers will feel confident about their chances of emerging victorious.
However, if Flaherty’s fastball continues to lag and his mechanics remain out of sync, it could spell trouble for Los Angeles. In the unforgiving crucible of the World Series, even the slightest weakness can be exploited, and the Dodgers can ill afford any chinks in their pitching armor.
As the baseball world turns its attention to the grand stage of the Fall Classic, all eyes will be on Jack Flaherty’s radar gun readings. Will the Dodgers’ ace rise to the occasion, reclaiming his velocity and dominance? Or will the timing issue persist, casting a shadow over Los Angeles’ title hopes? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the drama and intrigue surrounding Flaherty’s fastball will be a central storyline in this World Series showdown.
