Tigers turn to Jack Flaherty in decisive game vs. Twins

The Detroit Tigers added two starting pitchers, Chris Paddack and Charlie Morton, last week prior to the trade deadline. Getting consistently strong outings out of veteran right-hander Jack Flaherty is just as important.

Flaherty, who will start the finale of a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday afternoon, was signed as a free agent during the offseason to be the team's No. 2 starter behind ace Tarik Skubal.

Flaherty posted a 7-5 record and 2.95 ERA in 18 starts with the Tigers last season before he was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline. His second stint in Detroit hasn't gone as smoothly.

Following a three-inning outing at Pittsburgh on July 21 when he gave up three runs, six hits and three walks, Flaherty had a 5-10 record and a 4.77 ERA.

His latest two starts have eased concerns about his effectiveness. He held the American League East-leading Toronto Blue Jays scoreless for six innings on July 27, then limited the powerful Philadelphia lineup to one run and two hits in six-plus innings on Friday. The Tigers scored three early runs, but the bullpen couldn't hold the lead as the Phillies rallied for a 5-4 victory.

Flaherty (6-10, 4.36 ERA) has improved his fastball location in his past two outings while mixing in sliders and knuckle-curves.

"Flaherty was really good," manager A.J. Hinch said following the Friday contest. "He was in complete control of the game and really did a nice job of setting us up for the win."

Flaherty has made three career starts against Minnesota, winding up with no-decisions while posting a 3.00 ERA.

At the beginning of the series, the Twins listed Simeon Woods Richardson as their Wednesday starter. However, Minnesota placed him on the 15-day injured list on Monday due to a lingering illness.

"Sim has been dealing with a stomach issue," manager Rocco Baldelli said. "It's something that had him getting looked at by the docs numerous times over the last week. He's been struggling, and (it's) pushing him to the point where he's not able to get his baseball activity done. It's been a tough one. It's been a challenging one."

The Twins did not announce a replacement starter for Wednesday, and they likely will have to go deep into their revamped bullpen to get through the game. They traded five relievers last week, and Baldelli is trying to sort out how to utilize the replacements.

"Certainly a different setup," he said. "But this is what we're doing here: We're trying to learn what everyone can do. We're trying to challenge guys, put them in spots."

The bullpen pitched well enough on Tuesday as the Twins collected a 6-3 victory. Baldelli used four relievers after Zebby Matthews pitched just long enough to pick up the victory. Justin Topa pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his first save as a Twin.

Minnesota got a boost from second baseman Luke Keaschall, who came off the injured list and delivered a two-run homer -- the first long ball of his career -- and a run-scoring single.

The Tigers won the series opener on Monday by an identical score.

Detroit didn't start two of its All-Stars on Tuesday. Gleyber Torres was scratched from the starting lineup because of left forearm tightness. Riley Greene, who has one hit in 17 at-bats this month, was given a breather.

--Field Level Media