Game 1 of the World Series appeared to be unfolding like a familiar sight to Yankees fans watching and stewing across the country. Runners on in the first against slumping Dodgers right-hander Jack Flaherty? Jazz Chisholm made the final out, and the Yanks turtled from there. Aaron Judge with three chances to make a statement? Three strikeouts.
Heading into the top of the sixth inning, Flaherty appeared to be cruising to the finish line, especially after retiring Judge for the third time on a 94 MPH fastball that nicked the outside corner. All he had to do in order to get to his own personal endgame was pitch around Giancarlo Stanton who has been, in a word, scorching. In two words, he’s been ridiculously scorching.
And, on a 1-2 count to Stanton, Flaherty proved that he learned absolutely nothing from the Cleveland Guardians’ pitching staff…