5 St. Louis Cardinals to watch in NL wild card game

Jack Flaherty

Imagine having the season Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty had. It all started in Los Angeles when the Cardinals were playing the Dodgers in late May, early June. After an amazing 8-0 start, Flaherty went down with an injury to his oblique that put him on the injured list for a couple of months.

When he returned in August, one of his starts was cut short due to arm issues.

Flaherty had a rough season. But during the past few weeks, he’s worked with the pitching coaches on a plan to build back his strength. He last pitched one inning on Sunday afternoon’s rain-shortened game against the Cubs. He had to strikeouts in the outing.

Flaherty has traveled with the team to Los Angeles and will be available in the city where he grew up and graduated from Harvard-Westlake High School.

While the hope is that Wainwright goes deep and pitches a gem, Flaherty is the guy you want available to help out in an all-hands-on-deck situation for the club. He will be focused and ready for whatever the team needs from him.

Even if Flaherty isn’t needed Wednesday, he is the ultimate competitor you want available on your pitching staff. He will be available for October. As he would say, “Don’t Think.” This is certain.