Jack Flaherty Game 5. Here's usage of Dodgers bullpen behind him
Today at 01:03 AM
A look at recent LA bullpen usage in the NLCS to see which relievers are the freshest to back Flaherty in Game 5 on Friday
All signs were pointing to it for several days, but the Dodgers did not make it official until Thursday night: Jack Flaherty will start against the Mets in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Friday afternoon, with the Dodgers one win away from winning the pennant.
Flaherty will be on four days rest on Friday, after pitching seven scoreless innings with six strikeouts in the series opener on Sunday night at Dodger Stadium. He was in line to make the Friday start, but the team wanted to see how bullpen usage went in the first two games at Citi Field before fully committing to Flaherty after the Game 4 win.
"He gives us the best chance to win tomorrow," manager Dave Roberts told reporters Wednesday night at Citi Field. "We'll have our full slew of guys behind him, and there's a sense of urgency to win this game tomorrow."
The Dodgers have won each of the last two games by eight runs, but each of those contests were reasonably close until the team pulled away late. Those insurance runs late allowed for a pair of rookies to finish off the last two wins. Ben Casparius pitched two scoreless innings to close out Game 3, and Edgardo Henriquez pitched two scoreless innings to end Game 4, a mere 23 days after he was called up to the majors.
Blake Treinen got four outs in Game 4 after pitching a scoreless inning in Game 3. He's the only Dodger to pitch in both games in New York. That leaves a relatively well-rested group of relief pitchers, especially the high-leverage arms to back up Flaherty.
Roberts said Wednesday that even Evan Phillips, who threw 34 pitches to get four outs in Game 4, would be available to pitch on Friday in Game 5 if needed.
Game 5 on Friday is the final afternoon game of the NLCS, at least on the west coast, with a 2:08 p.m. PT first pitch. The game will be televised by FS1.
