Jack Flaherty's ALDS Game 3 start puts him on path to rewrite Tigers redemption arc

There were plenty of reasons to be worried about Jack Flaherty going into the Tigers' decisive Game 3 in the Wild Card Series (for one, his solid but unimpressive 3.94 ERA against Cleveland this season), but he came through in a huge way. He gave up just one run, a game-tying single to José Ramírez, and struck out four over 4 2/3 innings.

He got the quick hook when he surrendered a two-out walk with the bases empty. He'd only thrown 74 pitches and probably could've stayed in to get out of the inning if AJ Hinch wasn't being incredibly cautious. The difference between the conclusion of that start and most of Flaherty's others during the regular season? Tigers fans actually didn't really want to see him leave the game this time.

Going into Game 3 of the ALDS at Comerica Park, Flaherty has the chance to do it again and plant another flag in his redemption arc. Athough the Tigers spoiled their best chance to take a 2-0 lead in the series by giving Tarik Skubal negligible run support in Game 2, Flaherty pitched well against contenders in the regular season and should be feeling good about himself after his showing in the team's do-or-die matchup last week.

Jack Flaherty's ALDS Game 3 start can change Tigers fans' view of him

Tigers' starting pitching has been pretty decent so far, despite worries about everyone except Tarik Skubal. The star left-hander pitched 7 2/3 masterful innings against the Guardians before he dominated the Mariners (except for Jorge Polanco); Casey Mize only gave up a run in his Wild Card Game 2 start; and rookie Troy Melton pitched four innings of one-run ball in ALDS Game 1 despite a four-run 1/3 inning against the Guardians in Game 2.

Of course, the better Flaherty does in the postseason, the more likely he is to opt out of his contract with the Tigers for 2026 — which would still probably be divisive among fans — but fans would much rather make a deep postseason run and watch Flaherty walk in free agency than get bounced in the ALDS again.

If the Tigers win Game 3 on Tuesday, they have the opportunity to wrap up the series in front of their own fans in Detroit the next day. Offseason contract decisions aside, Flaherty could make himself a legend among those fans with a solid start in Game 3.