Last night's version of Jack Flaherty is the one Orioles fans imagined in 2023

Late last night, it looked like the Yankees were going to steal Game 1 of the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium. The Yanks went into the 9th with a 3-2 lead but they weren't able to hold on. The Dodgers got the bases loaded and Freddie Freeman hit a monster walk-off grand slam to give LA a 1-0 lead in the series.

While Freeman's heroics pushed the Dodgers over the top in the end, it was starter Jack Flaherty who held the line and kept LA in the game into the final innings. The former Oriole went 5.1 innings and allowed just 2 runs on 5 hits and a walk, while striking out 6. It was a masterful performance coming off a disaster of a start against the Mets in the NLCS.

Flaherty has been good, essentially all year. He was impeccable in Detroit in the first half, pitching to a 2.95 ERA in 106 innings, riding a career-best 32% strikeout rate into the trade deadline. Detroit was struggling at that point and moved Flaherty to the Dodgers for a pair of prospects that have yet to make an impact.

If only Jack Flaherty had been this good after the 2023 trade deadline

But Flaherty kept on going once he reached LA. He stayed hot, pitching to a 3.58 ERA with strong strikeout and walk rates while helping the Dodgers to yet another NL West title. Flaherty fell apart in the early rounds of the playoffs, however, reminiscent of his performance in Baltimore after the trade deadline in 2023.

Like the Dodgers did this summer, Baltimore acquired Flaherty at the deadline a year ago with the idea that he'd help lead them to postseason success. Flaherty collapsed in Baltimore, however. In 34.2 innings, the righty struggled to a 6.75 ERA with terrible home run luck. He never even got a chance to make an impact in the playoffs and left Baltimore over the winter in free agency.

Flaherty has been named by some as a potential candidate to return to Baltimore this winter. It seems like a fit on paper, as the Orioles are sure to pursue another starting pitcher in the offseason. However, he wouldn't be a popular pick among O's fans given his previous performance here.

It's possible Flaherty gets another chance to pitch in the World Series this year. If he's able to go and throws another gem like he did last night, it might help persuade Mike Elias that he'd be a successful pitcher in Baltimore. Whether that's a good thing or not is questionable.