Jack Flaherty had an exceptional rookie season, and expectations were high for 2019. Peter Gammons even pegged the 23-year-old, in his first full MLB season, as his favorite to win the Cy Young Award.
Like every member of the Cardinals rotation, Flaherty spent a good part of the early season underperforming. Up to the All-Star break, he had 18 starts and had yielded 20 home runs. His ERA sat at 4.64. He was... fine, but nobody’s idea of an All-Star or certainly not a Cy Young contender.
Since the All-Star break, Jack Flaherty has been the best pitcher in the National League.